Road Infrastructure Dev't Institute formed

Accra, July 9, GNA - The Ministry of Roads and Transport (MRT) on Wednesday formed Road Infrastructure Development Institute to educate and inform the public about its activities and programmes. The Institute was formed at the end of a two-day workshop organised by the MRT for Mass Media Practitioners drawn from the public and private media houses under the theme: "The Role of the Mass Media in Transport Infrastructure Development" in Accra.

It has Mr. Charles Benoni Okine from Graphic Group Communications Limited as its interim President, Mr. James Agyenim-Boateng, Radio Gold as Vice President and Patience Azaglo of the Ghana News Agency, Secretary.

The rests are Mr. Innocent Samuel Appiah, The Heritage, Assistant Secretary, Kwarteboi Owuo from the Evening News, Organiser, Mr. Emmanuel Akorlie, Peace FM, Treasurer and M-hardi Zakaria from the Insight as the Assistant Organiser.

Mr John Osei-Asamoah, Chief Director of MRT, who inaugurated the interim executives, said an efficient road and transport network with its complement of services is crucial for the enhancement of the life of the people of any country.

He, therefore, urged the Institute to play its expected role in enlightening the public on their activities and also use the experiences acquired during the workshop to "unlock the door of the transport infrastructure development in Ghana."

He tasked the group to be advocates for transparent contract administration and quality construction works in the country. This advocacy support, he said, should also be directed to the education of the road users to ensure that the huge investment made in the development of the road and transport infrastructure is protected. Mr Osei-Asamoah said inadequate funding, inadequate staff, lack of adequate logistics, long processes and procedures of project preparation and implementation and unattractive conditions of service in the public sector were some of the constraints militating against their inability to meet the transport infrastructure needs of the nation.

He said despite these seemingly daunting tasks, indications given by their agency heads over the two-day period amply demonstrate a strong commitment by the government in ensuring that a sound and enduring transport infrastructure and services were provided to reduce the level of poverty and deprivation.

"This we can achieve when journalists challenge our actions and ask probing and pertinent questions, which will elicit the correct responses and reflect the concerns, aspirations and desires of our people," he added.