Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister, reported substantial progress in improving mobility, accessibility, and safety along important trunk highways through numerous infrastructure projects.
The minister mentioned some of the projects at various phases of completion during the 2023 Mid-Year Budget Review, which was presented in Parliament on July 31.
Examine them:
- The 31.2km Assin Fosu-Assin Praso portion of the National Trunk Road N8 (Phase 2) was completed and commissioned in June 2023.
- The Accra-Tema Beach Road (Lot 1 and Lot 2) is 79 per cent and 89 per cent complete, respectively.
- Construction of a 3-tier interchange at Nungua Barrier is ongoing.
- Development works on the Kumasi Lake Road and Drainage Extension project are 98 per cent complete.
- Selected Roads in Sekondi and Takoradi Phase 1 are 21 per cent complete.
- The Tema-Aflao road is 30 per cent complete.
- The Nsawam-Ofankor road is 26 per cent complete.
- The reconstruction of the Bechem-Techimantia-Akomadan road is 64 per cent complete.
- Reconstruction of Agona Nkwanta-Tarkwa road is 34 per cent complete.
- Phase 2 of the Obetsebi Lamptey Circle Interchange and other ancillary works are 86 per cent complete as of June 2023.
- Construction of a 4-tier interchange at Suame in the Ashanti Region has commenced.
- Construction of 50 prefabricated bridges in all sixteen regions is 86 per cent complete as of the end of June.
- Design, fabrication, and delivery of 87 No. steel panel bridges are ongoing, with 45 bridges delivered.
- A new bridge under construction at Twifo Praso to separate vehicular traffic from the railway line is 93 per cent complete.
He also stated that the government intends to launch a community road construction programme in order to boost production and expedite the transportation of food crops.
“District Assemblies will be provided with complementary equipment to ensure that local roads are motorable throughout the year. Despite these infrastructure developments, the government remains committed to improving road infrastructure in line with the fiscal consolidation plan in the IMF-backed PCPEG and in partnership with the private sector” he said.
There are two projects in various phases of preparation for public-private partnerships (PPPs) for road infrastructure finance, construction, and management:
- Phase 1 of the Accra-Tema Motorway Extension Project (31.7km) involves the reconstruction of the Motorway. The Concession Agreement and draft Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement have been finalized and will be presented to Parliament.
- The Development of Tema Arterial Roads will be structured on a PPP basis using the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) model. The appraisal of the project is ongoing.
He stated that these projects aim to strengthen Ghana’s transport networks, communications, and general infrastructure.
