The Akufo-Addo-led government has invested in roads, particularly in the Ashanti Region, since 2017, more than the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration which was at the helm of governance from 2009 to 2016, the Vice President, Dr. Mahammudu Bawumia has revealed.
According to Dr. Bawumia, a total of 1,180.2 kilometres of roads had been completed so far in Ashanti Region since the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) took office in 2017.
This figure, he added, was more than double the 503.44 kilometres of roads constructed in the region between 2009 and 2016 by the NDC.
He revealed this information on Monday, August 1, 2022, at the commissioning of the 100km Rehabilitation and Auxiliary Infrastructure of the Kumasi Inner Ring Road and Adjacent Streets Project – Phase 1. He cut the sod for the project on December 13, 2019 at Kentenkrono in the Oforikrom Municipality.
100KM REHABILITATION
Dr. Bawumia said the completion of this project, as well as the many completed and ongoing contracts, was evidence of the government’s commitment to improving the road infrastructure across the country, especially in the Ashanti Region.
The 100km Rehabilitation and Auxiliary Infrastructure of Kumasi Inner Ring Road and Adjacent Streets Project – Phase 1 was undertaken with the primary objectives of enhancing intra-urban traffic flow.
He observed further that it was to reduce the incidence of flooding, dust pollution, and other negative environmental effects associated with the poor road network, according to the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
The authorities of the Urban Roads Department say the completion of the project had improved accessibility within Kumasi, especially for the beneficiary communities of Asokwa, Bantama, Nhyiaeso, Manhyia, Oforikrom, Kwadaso, Tafo Pankrono, Subin, and Suame.
The Veep remarked that: “The completion of this project is so important to government, since we shall be adding 100km of rehabilitated roads to the network in Kumasi.
“Apart from the roads we are commissioning today, let me state some of the Works that Government is undertaking in Ashanti, under the Road Agencies under the Ministry of Roads and Highways.”
ASPHALT OVERLAY
The Vice President noted that the Department of Urban Roads (DUR) had successfully completed the asphalt overlay of 295km of roads in the Ashanti Region since 2017.
He informed the gathering that some of the beneficiary areas included the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly-Subin Nhyiaeso and Bantama, Asokwa, Oforikrom, Old Tafo, Asokore Mampong, Bekwai, Ejisu, Juaben, Sekyere East (Effiduase), Asante Mampong, Kwadaso, Obuasi, Suame and Atwima Nwabiagya South.
Apart from the 100km local roads that was commissioned yesterday, Dr Bawumia said the DUR has also completed another 75km of town roads in Ashanti, including Bekwai Town roads (11km); Kwamo Town Roads (5.5km), Manhyia Roads (Buokrom)- 6km and Ejisu/ Kwaso Town Road (7km).
Ongoing works being undertaken under the supervision of the DUR include Partial Reconstruction of Selected Roads in Kumasi Lot1 (57km); the Kumasi Roads and Drainage Extension Project (90% complete); and the 100km construction of the Kumasi Inner City Roads, involving the rehabilitation of another 100km of local roads in Kumasi. The sod was cut on 25th March 2022, with works 10% complete.
GHANA HIGHWAY AUTHORITY
The GHA has undertaken the rehabilitation and upgrading of 264 km of roads since 2017, the Vice President disclosed, with the roads either at primer seal stage or have the full seal on them. In addition, 28km of critical roads are at Asphaltic binder stage in the region.
As well, the Department of Feeder Roads has completed about 342km of roads since 2017. Some of the roads completed and tarred include Poano-Ntinnanko Feeder Road (6km); Barekese-Fufuo-Adugyama Feeder Road (10km); Ahenkro-Boamag Feeder Road (11km); Upgrading of Menang Junction-Menang-Dotom Feeder Road (15km); and Bitumen Surfacing of Fiankoma-Hia Feeder Road (14.5km).
Assuring the region of Government’s continued commitment to improving road infrastructure, Vice President Bawumia emphasized:
“There are currently a lot of road works at various stages of completion in the region and we intend to ensure that they are all completed. I am happy to inform you that Parliament has approved the construction of the Suame Interchange- Phase1. Works are expected to start by September 2022.
I know you are also eager to hear about the Boankra Inland Port. I am happy to report that the contractor has moved to site for work to begin this month,” he added.
