Government’s commitment to the development of the country’s road infrastructure remains unwavering despite the recent economic challenges, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured.
He said it was important to emphasize that each road, interchange and bridge constructed was a testament to government’s dedication to fostering connectivity, enhancing economic growth, and ensuring the safety and well-being of every Ghanaian.
“The road ahead is filled with promise and potential. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future, where the infrastructure of our nation supports the dreams and aspirations of its people,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo gave the assurance when he formally cut sod for the dualisation of the 22-kilometre Adenta-Dodowa road.
The scope of works to be undertaken apart from the dualisation of the road include the provision of service lanes on both sides of the main carriageway, drainage, street lights, concrete pavement of binder and wearing course and installation of necessary traffic control devices and road line markings.
Being undertaken by Oswal Investment Limited the project is expected to be completed within the next 13 months.
President Akufo-Addo said more than 12,830 kilometres of roads have been completed nationwide since his administration took over and these included 2,055 kilometres of road and the construction of four interchanges in the Greater Accra Region.
Additionally, three bridges had been constructed in Communities 12 and 19 in Tema, as well as in Taifa.
“Some of the notable projects which have been completed include the iconic four-tier Pokuase Interchange, the first of its kind in Ghana and West Africa, and the second in Africa,” he stressed.
He said the number of projects also included the construction of 12 kilometres of local roads, the Tema-Motoway Interchange Phase 1 and the Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange Phase 1, the dualisation of Aviation Road, Borteyman School Junction Road, and Nanakrom Road, totalling 12.8 kilometres.
He said reconstruction of selected roads in Ga North, Dome-Kwabenya and Ga Central, covering about 24 kilometres as well as partial reconstruction of selected roads in Teshie and Nungua, covering nine kilometres had been undertaken.
President Akufo-Addo noted that steps were being taken to ensure that work resumed on all projects that were suspended due to the debt restructuring exercise.
The projects he said included; the construction of the Tema-Aflao Road, which provides four interchanges at Kpone, Savannah, Dawenya, and Ningo junctions.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, said the completion of the road would shorten travel time towards improving the economic activities of the people.
He indicated that the provision of more draining systems address the perennial flooding of the area and commended government for including the region in this monumental project.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, indicated that
the rapid urbanisation in this part of the country has resulted in severe congestion on the road, particularly during rush hours, posing challenges for commuters and creating a bottleneck for economic activities.
The situation he explained was further aggravated by numerous minor road junctions and a large number of motorists undertaking left-turns and U-turns resulting in long traffic queues, causing countless productive hours to be lost thus becoming a daily safety hazard, with frequent accidents posing a risk to all who travel it adding “Today, we are making a decisive move to tackle these urgent challenges on this road corridor”.
The Minister urged the residents along the project corridor to be patient with the contractor as the work progresses as their co-operation and support are vital to the project’s successful completion. By collaborating, we can address any challenges that will emerge.
The project traverses three (3) administrative districts Adentan, Kpone-Katamanso, and Shai-Osudoku and runs through Frafraha, Ashiyie, Amanfro, Amrahia, Maledjor, Oyibi, Gbortsui, Kpone Bawaleshie, among others
The corridor over the past couple of decades, has witnessed rapid growth in size and complexity of the communities resulting in exponential increase in housing facilities including estate developments and educational institutions.
These has resulted in increased demand for vehicular and pedestrian crossings, left and U-turns, increased threat to road user safety, increased travel times and congestion leading to reduced highway capacity which increased road surface defects and pavement distress.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL & LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU