Frema Osei Opare (middle) joined by Francis Asenso-Boakye and some officials of GHA to cut the anniversary cake
In an effort to address the phenomenon of poor maintenance of roads in Ghana, the government will be setting up a roads maintenance mobile application and call centre, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye has announced.
According to the minister, despite the significant investments made by successive governments in road development over the years, such investments have not come with corresponding investments in road maintenance leading to the rapid deterioration of some sections of roads in the country.
“It is therefore in response to this challenge that the ministry has adopted a strategy which seeks to prioritize road maintenance in critical areas, including pothole patching on major trunk roads and in urban areas, as well as spot improvements and reshaping of feeder roads”, he announced.
“The Ministry is setting up a maintenance call center, with a Maintenance App, as part of an enhanced road maintenance programme designed to address public concerns on road defects swiftly and efficiently through a participatory approach,” he said.
“This innovative solution leverages the digital revolution to enhance the road sector’s responsiveness and effectiveness,” he added.
The minister, made this announcement in his address at the launch of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) under the theme: “Development and Maintenance of Quality Highways: Retrospect and Prospects,” in Accra yesterday.
Mr. Asenso-Boakye also announced that the government, in supporting road maintenance efforts, has put in placea “new policy to earmark about 60% of our annual maintenance budget to support this initiative.”
These, he said, are crucial steps in government’scommitment to maintainingand improvingthe country’s road infrastructure for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
In her remarks, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Frema Osei-Opare commended the management and staff of the GHA for their resilience in the face of challenges over the years, saying the Authority’s legacy is not only in the infrastructure it has built but also in the lives it has improved.
“As we launch the 50th anniversary celebrations, let us reaffirm our commitment to excellence in the development and maintenance of quality highways”, she charged.
Chief Executive of the GHA, Collins Boadu Donkor, advocated for a national dialogue on sustainable funding models, including the reintroduction of modern road and bridge tolls in addressing the fiscal challenges of road maintenance.
Such measures, he underscored, would bolster their capacity to maintain and upgrade the country’s roads systematically, ensuring they remain safe and reliable for all users.
“Looking forward, our focus must remain unwavering on innovation, safety, and sustainability. We must harness cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices to ensure our roads do not only meet current needs but also preserve resources for future generations. This commitment necessitates robust investment in our human capital, providing continuous training, competitive conditions of service, and modern tools to empower our workforce,” he noted.
BY Nii Adjei Mensahfio