Francis Asenso-Boakye, the former Minister of Roads and Highways, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider the proposal to construct a six-lane expressway between Accra and Kumasi.
Asenso-Boakye detailed that the new six-lane expressway will derail progress made on the ongoing dualisation of the corridor.
According to Asenso-Boakye, over 100 kilometres of the 240-kilometre stretch between Accra and Kumasi have already been dualised.
He noted that only 94 kilometres remain to be completed, and abandoning it will not only be unwise but also unconstitutional.
Mr Asenso-Boakye, in a letter addressed to the President, wrote, “Only 94 kilometres remain to be completed. To abandon this progress now would not only be unwise but also unconstitutional.”
He added, “There is no final design, cost estimate, or secured funding. Yet Your Excellency has stated publicly that construction will begin next year and be completed before your term ends — a timeline of less than three years. With my expertise and experience, I can say, without any fear of contradiction, that this timeline is not feasible.”
“Variations and cost adjustments are common in major infrastructure works. They can be addressed within existing legal and contractual frameworks without throwing away the entire project.”
Asenso-Boakye, in his petition, added, “This is not about partisanship. It is about continuity, value for money, and responsible governance. I respectfully urge you to review the current course and consolidate, rather than disrupt, the gains we have made.”
Asenso-Boakye, speaking on the floor of parliament on Thursday, July 31, made a similar appeal. He stated, “Mr Speaker, what stops the government from completing these bypasses that will reduce the travel time from Accra to Kumasi by three hours?
Now the minister is saying that they are going to construct a six-lane expressway, totally different from the existing intervention. First of all, the president, with the greatest of respect he was in Kumasi a couple of weeks ago”.
Asenso-Boakye furiously added, “Will you listen to me? Listen to sense, wisdom. Listen to wisdom. Listen to words of wisdom and stop the heckling”.
Asenso Boakye was later cautioned by the Speaker of Parliament over his “listen to sense”. The Speaker ordered Asenso-Boakye to retract those comments; he later clarified his remarks before withdrawing the comment.
“What I mean is that they should listen to words of wisdom… Mr. Speaker, I am being distracted; they are not allowing me to flow because they know I am making a good point.
Mr Speaker, I withdraw ‘listening to sense.’ Thank you very much,” the former roads minister stated.
However, Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways, reacted by cooking Asenso Boakye over the NPP’s stalled road projects.
Hon Agbodza expressed frustration with the minority of their constant criticism and opposition to the initiative, despite the government’s renewed commitment and significant efforts to complete stalled projects started under the Akufo-Addo Bawumia administration.
Speaking on the floor of parliament, Governs Kwame Agbodza stated, “What is your problem? We said we are completing and expanding roads, what is wrong with that? Let’s come to Accra. I agree that the exit and entry points are very bad.
The Ofankor road, as of the time you were leaving office, the contractor had raised a certificate of about $77 million you didn’t pay him you left. Now people are doing a demonstration just this week, we paid that contractor about GHC300 million so that he can continue the work”.
He added, Why are you not recommending us for that? We are saying that since we do not have a dedicated fund, we are putting that project as an additional burden on the big push, and you don’t like it?
Go Kasoa Winneba, of course, the money has run out, the worst that will happen is that the contractor will leave the site. President Mahama does not want any of those projects to be abandoned. He said, carry it on additionally, Big Push Project, you don’t like that? What are you talking about here?”
The road minister further clarified that the Big Push project is not only about a road project, but also a special vehicle to address the interconnectivity.
Kwame Agbodza further emphasised that the John Mahama-led NDC government is not playing politics with road projects.