The third phase of the Stabilisation of Export Earnings (STABEX) road rehabilitation programme under which 600 kilometres of feeder roads in some cocoa growing areas would be rehabilitated at an estimated cost of 10.6 million Euros (84.4 billion cedis) would start next year.
Under the three-year programme to be funded from European Union (EU) grant, about 50 kilometres of the roads in the Ankasa and Bia National Parks would be rehabilitated.
This follows the successful completion of the second phase of the programme began in 2000 during which 450 kilometres of roads in the Western and Central regions were rehabilitated at the cost eight million Euros.
Dr Stefan Frowein, Head of Delegation of the EU in Ghana, said the EU and the government are expected to sign a joint implementation memorandum soon.
He made this known at the symbolic commissioning of the projects at Akango in the East Nzema District of the Western Region on Tuesday.
Akango, a farming community and its environs, are also beneficiaries of the feeder roads rehabilitation programme.
The STABEX programme, started in 1997, was designed to facilitate evacuation of cocoa and other cash crops.
Dr Frowein commended COCOBOD, the ministries of Food and Agriculture, Roads and Transport, Finance and the Department of Feeder Roads for their good job in proposing and implementing STABEX roads programmes.
Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport, referred to the four -kilometre Akango-Salima feeder road which is part of the STABEX phase two programme, and said the project was to demonstrate to the people of the area the government's commitment to improve the socio-economic status of the rural communities.
The Minister said the government recognises the contribution of the people of the Western Region to national development.
''The ministry therefore, would pursue a well-developed road programme under which a number of roads would be constructed during the third phase of the STABEX programme.''
Dr Anane expressed the government's gratitude to the EU and DFID of the United Kingdom (UK) for their support, especially in the road sector, which has impacted positively on the socio-economic well being of the people.
Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance in a speech read for him, hoped lessons learnt by the Department of Feeder Roads and other operators in the road sector during the implementation of the second phase of the programme would be applied to enhance the timely implementation of the third phase.
''Emphasis would be given to roads leading to major cocoa producing areas in the Brong Ahafo, Central, Western, and the Ashanti regions during the programme.''
Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, said the STABEX road projects had been the "life-line" for many communities in the region.
He appealed EU to assist in the tarring of feeder roads provided under the programme since mere surface dressing do not ensure the long life span of the roads.
Awulae Kaku Akyirisoe, Omanhene of Ajomoro Traditional Area appealed for the extension of the Akango-Salima road to nearby Duale.
