In the Upper East Region of Ghana, a pressing issue loomed over the resident’s access to essential services like passport application offices. For years, residents found themselves forced to travel to distant regions like Tamale and Wa just to apply for a passport, a journey that was not only cumbersome but also a drain on their time and resources. Apexnewsgh reports
As if the situation wasn’t disheartening enough, the neighboring Upper West Region, which had once been part of the Upper East, began to outpace its counterpart in development. It now boasted a passport office, an airport, and a range of amenities that the Upper East Region could only dream of.
Amid the political landscape, frustration simmered among the citizens, who had grown weary of hollow promises from their leaders, particularly during election seasons. The promise of a passport office in the Upper East, initially proposed in 2021, became a symbol of disappointment as delays plagued the project.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged as residents learned that the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), under the leadership of former Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu and current Minister Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, was genuinely committed to seeing the project through to completion. Investigations revealed that these officials were not to blame for the setbacks; rather, they were actively pushing for the project’s advancement.
However, things took a turn for the worse when the engineer in charge began building without a comprehensive plan in place.
The original design called for story building, but the engineer had other ideas. It wasn’t until the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid a visit to the site that the discrepancy was discovered.
The Deputy Minister’s inspection revealed that the engineer had deviated significantly from the original plan. This meant that the work already done was essentially worthless and had to be demolished.
The demolition process was a significant setback, causing further delays in the already beleaguered project.
The contractor, Mohaf Construction Company, found itself in a difficult position as well. Contrary to popular belief, the slow pace of work could not be attributed to their efforts. Apexnewsgh’s investigation uncovered that the root of the delays stemmed from a lack of available funds and a cumbersome administrative process. Originally designed to be completed within six months, the project ran into unexpected hurdles due to various underlying factors.
At the center of the issue lay an intricate web of administrative bottlenecks. Whenever funds needed to be released, they battled through a myriad of channels. The project required extensive collaboration among multiple committees, each overseen by a senior engineer. Different consultants, including structural, electrical, and mechanical engineers, all contributed their expertise, resulting in a staggering roster of 5-6 engineers involved in decision-making.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs held the reins of oversight, meaning that all decisions had to be meticulously vetted by each engineer before making their way to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), and the Finance Ministry for final approval. This laborious vetting process was identified as a primary cause of the ongoing delays that left many citizens frustrated.
Yet, amidst the challenges, the contractor, Mohaf, remained committed and eager to complete the project. He began work using his own funds, demonstrating his dedication even before receiving financial support from the ministry. A site supervisor explained that while work would continue without interruption, a brief halt might occur due to upcoming voting activities. But once the votes were cast, the team was ready to dive back into their work, determined to see the project to fruition.
However, the promise of a new passport office lingered in the air, alongside the hopes of its residents, who awaited the day when their needs would finally be met. The efforts of the RCC, the regional ministers, and the dedicated contractor painted a picture of resilience, demonstrating that despite the bureaucratic challenges, the commitment to serve the people of the Upper East Region remained strong.
As at the time of this publication, Apexnewsgh can report that contractor in charge of Upper East Region Passport Application Office has returned to work.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
