Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam
Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, has revealed that the government has invested about GH¢10 billion in the road sector since January 2024.
He said the investment was intended to improve transportation in the country and spur economic growth.
“I can also confirm that the government has secured equipment to complement the efforts of our local authorities in improving community roads nationwide,” he added.
The Finance Minister, who presented the 2024 mid-year fiscal review in Parliament, stated that the government is making progress on projects such as the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ofankor-Nsawam road, Keta Water Supply, Obetsebi Lamptey and Flower Pot interchanges, the three (3) by-passes on the Kumasi-Accra Highway, and the Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line.
“We have completed the Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi and the Yakubu Tali International Airport in Tamale. Agenda 111 Hospitals are at various stages of completion.
“We have completed the Afari Hospital in Kumasi and many other hospitals across the country,” he stated.
Dr. Adam said to advance the country’s digitalisation drive and expand the unique identification system, the government had invested about GH¢135 million in the National Identification Programme since January 2024.
According to him, this significant progress has been underpinned by an environment of enhanced and inclusive engagements with key stakeholders.
“These engagements have provided useful feedback, improved understanding and bolstered cooperation,” he intimated and continued, “The stabilisation is real.”
“We are determined to stay the course on our fiscal consolidation programme. Increased attention will continue to be given to prudent management of approved expenditures and improved revenue mobilization,” he stated.
He assured the government would also continue with its programme of delivering critical physical and digital infrastructure.
“To generate economic activity and increase growth, we will focus on increasing our investments in the roads sector under the Economic Roads Improvement Programme (ERIP).
“This programme will ensure that roads are built to connect producing areas to market centres and to key tourist sites. Accordingly, certain critical economic roads have been prioritised,” he added.
The Finance Minister said the government was again structuring a financial arrangement that would ensure the timely completion of strategic roads such as the Accra-Kumasi highway (which has been ongoing for 15 years, Accra-Takoradi highway, Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta Junction, and Tema-Afienya.
“We will work with the private sector to close the national housing deficit and optimise land use in urban areas. We will use Public Private Partnership (PPP) to deliver public infrastructure projects,” he intimated.
Dr. Adam disclosed that cabinet had also granted approval for the disbursement of an additional GH¢1.5 billion to settle outstanding claims relating to the financial management companies.
Part of the money, he added, would be used for the establishment of a framework for the re-introduction of Road and Bridge Tolls in 2025 as well as the operationalisation of the integrated property tax system.
He stated that the government would seek to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act and reintroduce the numeric threshold, which was suspended in 2020.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House