The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako Attah says the Akufo-Addo administration has achieved more in the road sector than any government in recent history.
He says in less than four years of the Nana Akufo-Addo government, there has been significant boost in the country’s road infrastructure as compared to the previous National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) 8-year tenure in office.
According to the Minister, although some roads cannot be fixed within a four-year period, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stands tall in terms of developments in the road sector.
Speaking at the Nation Builders Updates in Accra, Mr. Amoako-Atta said a significant number of projects will be completed from next year if the current government is retained.
“There are some roads that cannot be completed within four years because the construction period itself can span beyond four years. Even those who were in government for eight years couldn’t do it but within three and half years under Nana Akufo-Addo, we have done more than what they could achieve. God willing, in Nana Akufo-Addo’s second term, we will get another opportunity to raise this country again”, he said.
Touting more of government’s strides in its “Year of Roads” agenda, the Minister said more roads have been constructed with existing ones receiving a face-lift.
“This government made a promise to develop the country, improve the economy and ensure prosperity to the Ghanaian people and all these cannot be achieved if there aren’t good roads to connect cities, towns and regions…This promise has been kept and delivered most especially in the year 2020 as it was declared by the president as the year of roads. As part of the government’s year of road programme, 78 critical roads of total length 2,076.84 km were identified in all the 16 regions of the country for rehabilitation at a cost of GHS6.1 billion”.
Mr. Amoako-Atta also disclosed that the government has approved $500 million for work to begin on different roads with a combined length of 441 kilometres in Accra and Kumasi.
“Under the Sinohydro programme, we have been given the approval for the outstanding 4 Lots – 441km at the cost of $500 million and sod will be cut for these projects before the end of the year. These projects include Accra Inner City Roads (84km), Kumasi Inner City Roads (100km), dualization of Adenta-Dodowa (14km), – rehabilitation of Ajumako – Afransie (38km),” the Minister stated.
He added that between the period of 2017 and 2020, the Department of Urban Roads has asphalted 1,005km of roads in major towns and cities across the country including hospitals, schools, courts, police, army, and other security services compounds.