President Akufo-Addo (3rd R) with Francis Asenso- Boakye (R), Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover (2nd L) and King (Dr.) Odaifio Welentsi III at the Borteyman Road inauguration. Pix by Gifty Lawson
President Nana Akufo-Addo has commissioned the 5.8 kilometre School Junction-Borteyman-Tema Motorway Project, in the Greater Accra Region.
The project provides access to the newly-constructed Borteyman Olympic-size sports complex, while facilitating the movement of commuters within the Adentan, Ashaley Botwe, School Junction, Nmai Dzor, Borteyman and Community 18 to the Tema Motorway enclave.
The scope of work executed under the supervision of the Ministry of Roads and Highways includes the construction of a 5.8km main dual carriageway and service lanes, access and slip roads, walkways and cycling lanes.
Other facilities are the provision of traffic signals and streetlights, as well as the construction of lay-bys along the project route to support public transport.
It was executed by an indigenous Ghanaian contractor, Messrs Oswal Investments Limited.
Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo described the project as appropriate, noting that it would serve as a major East-West urban arterial from Awoshie, Ofankor, and Pokuase to the Central Business District (CBD) of Accra.
It is considered a viable alternative to the Nsawam-Kwame Nkrumah Avenue/Kojo Thompson Road and Aburi Road-Redemption Road-Independence Avenue.
The President stressed the belief that “a robust infrastructure is the foundation upon which sustainable development is built.”
Apart from that, he said roads serve as the arteries through which the bloodline of the economy flowed, therefore, his administration would continue to deliver on the promises made to Ghanaians “regardless of the challenges or constraints we face.”
In the Greater Accra Region alone, the President said government has completed road projects totalling more than 1,600 kilometres, encompassing the construction of three interchanges and three bridges to ease traffic congestion.
Justifying the huge investment in road infrastructure, he elaborated that the agenda was to alleviate traffic congestion, and establish new economic corridors.
He affirmed the government’s resolve to intensify works on the ongoing asphalt overlay, reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads across the country to ensure quality roads for safer journeys for all commuters.
The President touted his government’s considerable achievements in road infrastructural development, saying the country has been opened up for socio-economic growth.
In the last seven years, some 12,830 kilometres had been added to the national road network, with six interchanges and 35 bridges being constructed across the country, he noted.
“It is about bridging communities, enhancing economic growth and creating new opportunities for prosperity,” the President said.
On his part, Minister for Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, assured that the government would not fail to accomplish its avowed task of providing decent roads for Ghana’s accelerated socio-economic development.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent