Parliament approves loan for transnational route

Accra, July 24, GNA - Parliament on Wednesday approved by resolution, 4,495,922.65 euros to finance the Sefwi-Wiawso-Benkyeman junction road rehabilitation project.

Members were unanimous in approving the loan, saying the road, along the western corridors, formed part of an international route and was a major route for carting cocoa, cash crops and foods stuff. Nii Daku Adu-Mantey, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presenting a report of the Committee, said the loan was needed to shape up the road because it was a transnational route linking Cote d'Ivoire. He said it was also critical to ECOWAS activities, especially in terms of socio-economic activities.

Members who contributed to the debate said the road was important because it created access route for carting food to other parts of the country.

Earlier, Members of Parliament urged organisers of the Pan-African Festival of Arts and Culture (PANAFEST) to expand the event to cover the rest of the country.

They said the whole country should be able to participate in the event by making the festival more of the cultural programme and not as a tourist festival meant for outsiders. Members were contributing to a statement on PANAFEST made on the floor of the House Nana Yaw Ofori-Kuragu, (NPP-Bosome-Freho).