Sources at the Ministry of Roads and Highways have shot down claims that the Vice President, has twice cut sod for the same road project in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi to mislead residents there.
Two different photos of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have been in circulation since Friday showing him at separate events cutting sod for the start of a 100-Kilometre for the Kumasi inner city with people accusing him of playing mind games with Kumasi residents.
Both pictures had the caption “Bawumia cuts sod for 100km of Kumasi inner city roads”. While the first sod cutting was done on Saturday, 14th December 2019, the second one dated March 26, 2022 also had the headline “Bawumia cuts sod for 100km of Kumasi inner city roads” suggesting that the same project had been rehashed for the purpose of deceiving the residents in the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) stronghold.
But it has been clarified that they are two separate projects of 100km each. The first project had its sod-cutting done 13th December 2019, and is being done by a company called Contracta (the contractor).
It is said to be around Dichemso in Old Tafo in the Kumasi Metropolis. It is 96% complete and will be commissioned sometime next month.
The second sod cutting which happened on Friday, March 25, 2022, is a project to be executed by Sino hydro facility and scheduled to be completed within 30 months.
The project shall upgrade and improve the condition of 145 separate roads through various periodic maintenance activities like minor rehabilitation, upgrading and partial reconstruction.
Beneficiary areas include Suame, Kwadaso, Bantama, Manhyia, Asante Mampong and Effiduase Asokore.
The scope of works for the project include construction of road side drains, provision of culverts, earthworks, provision of base and sub base, double surface dressing, road line marking.
Speed calming devices will also be installed around schools and other locations that shall be identified along the roads.It was further revealed that the Ministry of Roads & Highways has compiled a list of completed projects (2017 – 2020), with the 100km of roads the Vice President cut sod for in 2019 almost completed are on the list of the Ministry.
They include; Suame – 12.04 kilometres, New Tafo – 8.97 kilometres, Manhyia – 8.97 kilometres, Bantama – 13.22 kilometres, Kwadaso- 11.49 kilometres, Subin -13.27 kilometres, Oforikrom -10.62 kilometres, Nhyiaeso -10.16 kilometres and Asokwa -11.25 kilometres “What he did on Friday 25th March is different and is yet to be executed hence the two shouldn’t be misrepresented as the same project with a recurring sod cutting”, the Road Ministry source said. At last Frida’s event, the Roads and Highways minister, Kwasi Amoako-Attah indicated that “adequate provision has been made in the contract for the payment of compensation to properties that shall be affected by the project”.
While touting the NPP’s road infrastructure achievements, Vice President, Dr Bawumia was optimistic the 100 kilometres of road will ease the burden of residents in the beneficiary areas.
“Completed roads in 4 years of the NPP administration surpassed that of the NDC in 8 years. In Ashanti region alone government has so far asphalted 227 km of roads and additional 400km of asphalt will be completed by 2024. Several other roads have been upgraded.
This is a testimony of government’s resolve to give the region its fair share of the national cake and more are in the offing”, Dr Bawumia stated.
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Ghana, H.E. Lu Kun was elated about the strong bilateral ties between Ghana and China.
The 100 km Kumasi city inner roads project would be undertaken by Messrs Sino Hydro Corporation limited.
The company gave assurance that the project will be executed well and as scheduled.
In the case of the first project, the Vice President was reported in December 2019 as cutting sod for work to begin on the First Phase of the Rehabilitation and Auxiliary Infrastructure of Kumasi Inner City Road and Adjacent Streets Project.
The construction works were mentioned as benefitting six Metropolitan and Municipal areas, including the Asokwa, Kwadaso, Oforikrom, Tafo and Suame Municipalities.
Manhyia, Bantama, Nhyiaeso and Subin, all sub – metros within the Kumasi Metro would also benefit from this project.
Addressing the chiefs and people of the Region at Kentenkrono-Nsenie, near Kumasi, on Friday, 13th December, 2019 Vice President Bawumia reiterated Government’s commitment to the provision of infrastructure across the country, including the Ashanti region, saying “we are not going to build Green Book roads. These are real roads.”
“The development of the entire Ashanti region, especially Kumasi and its environs, is very dear to the heart of President Akufo-Addo and his government. Today’s ceremony shows the commitment of the Government to improving the condition of the urban road network in Kumasi and the country at large.”
Other road works undertaken in the region since 2017 include asphalt overlay of 70km of a planned 200km of roads within Kumasi, expected to be completed in 2020; minor upgrading and rehabilitation of 24km of roads completed within Ejisu, Juaben, Ayigya and Effiduase.
“Various contracts for the rehabilitation and upgrading of roads in Buokrom, Kwadaso, Antoa, Effiduase and Ejisu are ongoing. Road works are also ongoing in Bekwai and Mampong.
“Procurement for 30km of roads for the facelift of the Obuasi township are ongoing. Under procurement also are minor rehabilitation of selected roads in Ejura, Mampong, Offinso and Konongo.
“Works on the Obuasi-Anwiankwanta Road is ongoing as well as the Mampong Kofiase Road,” the Vice President stated.As well, the Kumasi Roads and Drainage Extension Project is 35% complete. Under this project, 2km of Sissai River is being lined and 3.5km of the Lake Road shall be widened to a 2×2 dual carriageway.
In addition, a modern transport terminal shall be constructed at Atonsu. It is anticipated that a significant part of the works shall be completed by December 2020.A news report on the event by Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh had captured Dr, Bawumia announcing that the Ashanti region is also expected to benefit under the Sinohydro Project Phase 1.
“Under the Sinohydro Project Phase 1, Kumasi and Mampong shall benefit from 100km of road works. Works are expected to start in early 2020,” he disclosed.
Vice President Bawumia had assured that infrastructure, particularly roads, was very dear to the heart of the Akufo-Addo administration.
“The President has declared 2020 as the year of roads and Commencement Certificates to the tune of 6.6 billion cedis have been issued by the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Roads and Highways to undertake the rehabilitation of critical roads throughout the country.”
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon Kwasi Amoako Atta, hinted at plans to ensure stricter implementation of road construction contracts, to ensure that contractors are held responsible for shoddy works. Government on its part will continually work to provide more roads across the country, he pledged.
Vice President Bawumia at the time was accompanied by a number of officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff, Francis Asenso Boakye; Ashanti Region NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako; and a number of Ashanti region MPs including Hon Emmanuel Marfo (Oforikrom); Hon Daniel Okyem Aboagye (Bantama); Hon Kwabena Owusu-Aduomi (Ejisu); Hon Kennedy Kankam (Nhyiaeso); Hon Benito Owusu Bio (Atwima-Nwabiagya North); and Hon Eugene Boakye Antwi (Subin).
The list is said to be available for “anyone interested to peruse that data and be informed”. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GefKelW1xKhjSUp9iEIlaizKV_bbm59h/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=113121444179331934761&rtpof=true&sd=true
