President Akufo-Addo has taken aim at critics of his administration who claim that little has been done to advance regional development.
He predicted that those critics will soon be exposed.
When he was cutting sod for the 4-tier Suame Interchange Project, the President spoke to a group of Suame leaders and residents.
“All those who have been saying bad things about me would be shamed today, tomorrow and tomorrow’s next”.
Akufo-Addo (in Twi)
On Monday, a group of citizens decided to vent their anger at the President’s convoy as he was in Kumasi to oversee development projects and launch new ones.
The Ashanti region has benefited from 295 kilometers of road projects since 2017, according to President Akufo-Addo, who praised his government’s accomplishments in the area’s road infrastructure during his speech. This is part of the government’s nationwide effort to improve the nation’s road infrastructure.
“Apart from this project, Government is tackling critical road projects throughout the country in a holistic manner, so that every part of Ghana shall have quality, all-weather roads.”
“In the Ashanti Region alone, the Akufo-Addo Government has completed asphalt overlay of two hundred and ninety-five kilometres (295kms) of roads since 2017.
“Some of the beneficiary areas include Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, that is in Subin Nhyiaeso and Bantama, Asokwa, Oforikrom, Kwadaso, Suame, Old Tafo, Asokore Mampong, Bekwai, Obuasi, Ejisu, Juaben, Sekyere East (Effiduase), Asante Mampong and Atwima Nwabiagya South.”
Additional 100 kilometres of local roads, he said, have also been constructed.
“Again, Government has completed the construction of one hundred kilometres (100km) of local roads in Kumasi, which was undertaken by M/S Contracta. The beneficiary assemblies are Kumasi Metropolitan, Asokwa, Kwadaso, Oforikrom. Suame and Tafo Pakrono,” he said.
“In addition to the one hundred kilometres (100kms) of local roads I just mentioned, the Department of Urban Roads has completed another seventy-five kilometres (75kms) of town roads in Ashanti, including Bekwai Town roads, Kwamo Town Roads, Manhyia Roads (Buokrom) and Ejisu/Kwaso Town Roads. The Department of Feeder Roads has also completed the upgrading of sixty-eight kilometres (68kms) of selected feeder roads in the Ashanti and Western Regions, a project which was undertaken by M/S Sinohydro Corporation.”
He also mentioned other regional initiatives his government is working on, like as the Kumasi Roads and Drainage Extension Project, which he claims is 97 percent finished.
It comprises lining the Sissai Stream for 2 kilometers and improving the 3.5 kilometers of Lake Road from the Coca-Cola Bottling Plant to Dompoase to dual carriageway status.
The development of a cutting-edge terminal at Dompoase, which was a part of the projects as well, has since been finished and put into service.
The Suame Junction, the second 4-tier interchange in Ghana after the Pokuase Interchange, was opened on July 9, 2021, is the most recent improvement to the road network in the Ashanti area.
It is anticipated to reduce the ongoing traffic congestion that drivers encounter on the Suame Roundabout and to increase mobility.
The day’s tone was set earlier by Road Minister Kwasi Amoako Atta, who appeared to correct the record over how the region, the New Patriotic Party’s “Electoral World Bank,” had greatly benefited from government investment in road development.
Amoako Atta asserted that the area has received its fair part of the national pie, calling government opponents “people who don’t know what they are talking about.”
“People who don’t know what they are talking about accused President Akufo-Addo’s government of doing nothing for Ashanti region. Such comments put some of us in sober mood because if you are not careful, you would say what you shouldn’t say,” he said.
“I am privileged to be the sector minister of President Akufo-Addo, President Akufo-Addo is undertaking road projects in all the 16 regions,” he added.
Adam Ibrahim
Adam is passionate about politics and issues that affect governance. As a writer, he channels his energies into writing on pertinent national and political issues for the good of the Ghanaian people.