Kwasi Amoako-Atta
The Minister of Roads, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, has revealed that about 2,319.79 kilometres of critical roads are being constructed and upgraded throughout the country by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under its “Year of Roads” agenda.
He also said that the Mahama-led NDC government left behind a total of GH¢1.56 billion debt in the road sector alone, while exiting power on January 6, 2017.
Speaking at the Nation Building Updates in Accra yesterday on the theme: “Rebuilding Ghana’s Road Network”, the minister said that as part of the government’s Year of Roads programme, some other critical roads have been identified in all the 16 regions for rehabilitation at a cost of GH¢ 6.1billion.
He said that between 2017 and 2020, the Department of Urban Roads had asphalted a total of 1,005 kilometres of roads in major towns and cities across the country, including the compounds of hospitals, schools, courts, police, army, and other security services.
According to him, before the NPP government assumed office in 2017, only 78,400 kilometres of roads had been tarred, and indicated that this represented 23 per cent of the country’s entire road network.
The Roads and Highways Minister noted that the remaining 77 per cent of road network were in terrible conditions; a situation which was a disincentive to national development.
He disclosed that 304 road projects were also being constructed in cocoa and coffee growing areas throughout the country, and noted that this included 1,425 kilometres of feeder roads and 1,282 kilometres of trunk roads.
Mr. Amoako-Atta said the government was again embarking on an asphalt overlay programme of 1,005 kilometres of inner city roads, and added that through the construction of roads, the government was working to create opportunities for all Ghanaians, ensure a resiliently built environment and maintain a stable, united and prosperous society for all.
He argued that the retention of the NPP government would guarantee more of such road projects to bring relief to the citizenry.
He has consequently appealed to Ghanaians to retain President Akufo-Addo and the NPP on December 7, to ensure completion of the road projects and other infrastructure.
By Melvin Tarlue