The Eastern Regional Minister is currently stranded as the official residential accommodation being renovated remains unfinished nearly three years after work began.
A visit to the Residency by Journalists revealed that the contractor has abandoned site of the project due to a lack of funds.
Other facilities at the Residency, including the visitors’ lodge, and Deputy Minister’s residence, are also in a state of disrepair, left dusty and abandoned for many years.
Nsiah Amoako Godfred, Head of Works at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, confirmed that the project has stalled due to a lack of funds, as the contractor was not even provided with mobilization.
“The project is about remouldling of Regional Minister’s residence and three other Charlets. The three Charlets are actually completed the Regional Minister’s residence is the one under construction. Work done now is 75% complete because it included all the Charlets. The main challenge has been our financial situation because when the contractor began he was not even given mobilisation. He started with his own money in 2022 and he has worked to the current situation we find ourselves”,Nsiah Amoako Godfred, Head of Works, ERCC.
As a result, the new Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, who assumed office on February 4, 2025, has been left stranded without official accommodation.
The Minister is currently staying in a private residence she hired herself until the official accommodation is ready.
During a visit to assess the condition of the Residency, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey told journalists that she chose to stay in a private facility rather than a hotel to save taxpayers’ money.
“I could have opted for a hotel but if I look at the cost of the hotel, and the justapox with the economic status of the country, it will be a burden on the country and the Region as well. So I decided to look for a small place to put my head at my own cost so may until the work at the place is done then we move there”.
The Former Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong also struggled with accommodation during his when he was nominated during reshuffle in previous government.At one point,he was living in a hotel before securing temporary housing.
Nsiah Amoako Godfred, Head of Works emphasized that regular maintenance of the Residency is crucial to prevent such inconveniences in the future.
He lamented that Parks and Gardens that are supposed to maintain the compound of the Residency are understaffed and lack tools and equipment hence struggling to do carry out their duties.
Source: www.kumasimail.com /Obed Ansah
