Construction of Pokuase interchange to bring relief to commuters – Senior Minister

Commuters of the Pokuase stretch of the Accra-Kumasi highway will breathe a sigh of relief after government cut the sod for the construction of the Pokuase interchange.

The construction which is expected to be completed in 2020 will include about 5 flyovers linking all major roads and also see the construction of 10-kilometre length of roads network.

At a ceremony to cut the sod for the official commencement of the project, Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo who was there to represent the President and read out his speech on his behalf pledged government’s commitment to improving the roads network in the country.

He commended the previous Mahama led government for beginning the processes to get the contract approved and funded by the African Development Bank.

The construction, the President noted in his speech will ease traffic, improve urban mobility which will intend benefit students, the community and the growing industrial base located within the project zone.

“We are about to cut the sod for perhaps one of the most important interchanges in this country. The increase in Vehicular population over the last decade in Ghana has resulted in a very serious traffic situation for the whole nation and it is becoming unbearable in the Greater Accra Region. Engineers are therefore looking for many other ways to reduce this congestion. Towards the agenda for creating equal opportunities for all, in our framework of thinking Ghana beyond aid, it is imperative for us to have resilient cities with enhanced quality of living which is supported by very smooth intra and inter transportation” Osafo Maafo stressed while reading the speech.

The project under the Accra Urban Transport Project cost $84 million and is a continuation of the already constructed Awoshie-Pokuase roads.

The President in a speech delivered on his behalf cautioned the contractors, Messrs Zhongmei Engineering Group Ltd and supervising consultants, Messrs Associated Limited (ACON)/ Bigen Group to deliver value for money as he will not tolerate anything short of what is expected.

Roads Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Atta disclosed that the importance of the construction to the socio-economic development of the community and country cannot be overemphasised hence his ministry was going to closely monitor the work to ensure that everything is done in time, within budget and to specification.

Listing several roads that have been scheduled to be constructed including Ledzokuku-Spintex, and the interchange at Tema end of the Accra-Tema motorway, Kwasi Amoako-Atta pledged government will construct all roads in the country “within the foreseeable future.”

“Many of our roads are in a deplorable state as was inherited. I want to assure all of you here assembled and I want to assure all Ghanaians that step by step, systematically the government of H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo moving forward will tackle the entire road network in the country one after another and all roads in Ghana within a foreseeable future will be fixed” the Roads and Highways Minister assured.

Regional Minister, Ismael Ashitey who gave the welcoming address at the ceremony observed that the project aside its associated benefit will also include the training of youth especially girls in ICT and other soft skills.

He urged the contractors to ensure strict safety regime and advised the Municipal Assembly to liaise with them to put in place the best measures possible to avoid any preventable harm.

Country Director of African Development Bank, Yero Baldeh, emphasised the Bank’s commitment to supporting Ghana with its development as it has done for three decades now.

He indicated that ADB has funded projects worth more than $613 including about 10 road networks and a rail system.

In attendance at the Sod cutting ceremony were Deputy Regional Minister, Deputy Roads and Highways Minister, Chiefs of communities within the project zone, Municipal Chief Executives and hundreds of people that came to witness the event.

The construction when completed will link Kwabenya, Ayawaso, Pokuase, Accra and facilitate easy movement to major towns like Kumasi and Koforidua. It also makes provision for rail networks and further expansion.