President John Mahama has announced that seven companies have been shortlisted for the development of the Keta Port in the Volta Region.The companies were selected from 47 that submitted expressions of interest to partner with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) as strategic partners for the project.Addressing the 2026 Hogbetsotso Festival, President Mahama said the shortlisted companies have successfully completed the due diligence stage and will now proceed to the next phase of the process.He explained that the next stage would involve completing the designs and securing financing to pave the way for construction to begin.“Due diligence has been conducted, and the list has been shortlisted to seven companies. These seven companies are proceeding to the next stage, which involves completing the designs and arranging the financing for the project to commence,” he said.The President also disclosed that the administration block for the port, which was started under the previous administration, is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027.“Government remains committed to advancing the project on a credible foundation,” he assured.On other development projects in the Volta Region, President Mahama announced that the Sogakope-Agodome-Keta Water Project, which stalled following Ghana’s debt restructuring, is expected to resume.He said the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the contractors in October to facilitate their return to site and the completion of the first phase.On road infrastructure, President Mahama said the Ho-Denu Road is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed in 2027.He added that procurement processes are underway for the reconstruction of the road from Central University at Miotso, near Dawhenya, to Aflao.The government is also working to secure a contractor for the Dabala-Savietula-Keta-Denu Highway.President Mahama further disclosed that several roads in the Anlo area, including the Abor-Atiavi road, has been captured under the World Bank Feeder Roads Project, with procurement expected to begin soon.On healthcare, he said discussions have been initiated during his recent visit to Korea for the resumption of financing for the upgrade of the Volta Regional Hospital in Ho.He said the upgrade would ensure that the facility is befitting of a teaching hospital.The President also announced progress towards establishing a School of Pharmacy under the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), saying land had been secured and inspected by the committee overseeing its establishment.He said the next steps would involve designing the campus and proceeding to procurement.President Mahama also pledged to support other educational infrastructure requests in the region, including a new dormitory block for Anlo-Afiadenyigba Senior High School, proposed E-Blocks for Shime and Anlo Senior High Schools, and infrastructure improvements at Atiavi Senior High School and Technical School.He further acknowledged calls for the upgrading of Ohawu Agricultural College into a university. On housing, the President said an additional GH¢500 million has been allocated for district housing projects and assured the people of Anlo that the area would benefit.He also said the Anloga 24-hour market project is on track, while preparations for the proposed Aflao Ashigame market have advanced, with land secured and designs completed.According to him, a technical team from China, financed through a grant from the Chinese Government, is expected to visit the project sites to confirm the designs before the release of a US$30 million grant to commence the project.President Mahama urged the Volta Regional Coordinating Council to closely monitor the implementation of the various projects to ensure their timely delivery.