A multi-million cedi reconstruction and improvement of road projects in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi, are to be officially launched by President Akufo-Addo on July 16, 2018.
Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, who disclosed this, said the projects would see four new interchanges at Anloga Junction, Santasi, Airport, and Suame roundabouts. Additionally, other roads in the metropolis would be repaired.
He was speaking at the first meeting of the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council, which was attended by various heads of departments and state agencies in the region.
The minister acknowledged the deplorable state of roads in the region particularly the capital city, and said: “it is the worst in the country”. He indicated that residents would see significant improvements on the entire road network with time.
According to him, when the road projects are completed the frequent breakdown of vehicles would be avoided, easing traffic congestion in the city.
Years of neglect have led roads in the Ashanti Region in deplorable conditions, seriously affecting areas such as Obuasi, Daaban, Esereso, Tafo, Atonsu, Feyiase and Kwanwoma.
Construction of drainage systems has started on the Ampayoo-Ampabame road in the Atwima-Kwanwoma District, whilst redesigning of roundabouts on the Ejisu-Kumasi road and others rehabilitation works are underway.
The Kumasi road facelift projects are believed to be part of eight out of 30 urban roads projects awarded to contractors for work to begin as announced by the Regional Minister on May 2, 2018.
He told a news conference that the remaining 22 urban roads projects were still in the procurement process.
The minister disclosed that the projects include a 2.5-kilometre asphalt relay from Tech Junction to Anloga Junction being undertaken by Core Construction; a 12.5-kilometre asphalt relay from Anloga Junction through Airport roundabout to Suame roundabout to link the Sofoline interchange. This project is supposed to be executed by Semen’s Construction.
Mr. Osei-Mensah said the road of the North/South from Sofoline interchange through Santasi roundabout to Ahodwo roundabout to the Asokwa interchange would also see improvement.
“We are still engaging the sector minister in order to do the dualization of that road to complete the ring road,” he stated.
“There is another contractor who will work on Bantama roads through to Manhyia, and the contractor has promised to be on site by the middle of this month,” he added.
The Regional Minister said the Ahinsan-Lake road had also been awarded to contract for dualization to be extended by seven kilometers more than the original agreed location.
“The others are pothole patching, resealing, shoulder maintenance and repairs are also among the projects to be undertaken,” he revealed and added that 13 federal roads and highways would also see a facelift.
He asserted that regardless of the criticism around he believes that President Akufo-Addo’s commitment should not be seen as ineffectual.
