We are constructing real roads, not Green Book roads - Dr. Bawumia

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says the Government of President Akufo-Addo is building visible road networks in the country and not imaginary roads that can only be found in a Green Book.

Addressing Chiefs and people of Krofom in the Asanti Region yesterday when he cut a sod for a 100-km Kumasi inner-city road rehabilitation project, Dr. Bawumia said the Government of President Akufo-Addo realised upon assuming power that poor road network is a common problem for people in every region, and Government has thus invested heavily to improve on the state of roads in the country.

"Anywhere you go in Ghana, one of the major problems for the people are poor road network, regardless of region. "Whether in the Greater Accra Region, Western North, Volta Region, Northern Region, Upper West and East, everyone is complaining about poor roads that is why the issue of of road rehabilitation is so dear to Nana Addo," said Dr. Bawumia.

The Vice President expressed surprise at the extent of the bad nature of roads in the country, recalling how the erstwhile NDC Government under John Dramani Mahama touted its road-constructing credentials in the Green Book - a document which the then NDC government claimed contained its infrastructure achievements.

"Before we came into government, our predecessors said they had made unprecedented road infrastructure development. But wherever we go, the people complain that our roads are not good."

"But where are all the roads we saw in the green book? Have those roads we saw in the green book flown away?," the Vice President asked.

"We are constructing real roads not green book roads. We are constructing fiili fiili roads, not the type that you can see only in a green book."

The Vice President underlined the importance of good roads to the country's socio-economic development of the country, adding that it is the reason the President has been committed to it and the Government has invested heavily in the construction and rehabilitation of roads.

"Roads are very important for the development of the economy and the country. Without good roads, there can be no development," said the Vice President.

"Wherever you go, people are complaining of roads including the Ashanti Region that is why the President has declared the year 2020 as the year of roads."

"When Nana said 2020 is a year of roads, it was not a rhetorical comment. He means business and we have given commencement certificate of 6.6 billion cedis to the Ministry of Roads and Highways."

Apart from the €55m Euro 100-km Kumasi Inner-city project which he cut the sod for commencement of work, Dr. Bawumia also listed a number of rehabilitated roads and on-going road projects in the Ashanti Region alone since President Akufo-Addo's Government assumed power.

"Since 2017 when we started constructing roads in the Ashanti Region, we have constructed about 70 km of asphalt within Kumasi. Nhyiaso, Bantama, Manhyia, Preman have all been beneficiaries and by 2020, we would've covered 200 km," said the Vice President.

"We have also upgraded roads of about 24 kilometres in Ejisu Juaben, Eyijah and Edubiase. Upgrading is also going on in Krofrom, Kwadaso, etc."

"There has also been procurement for 30 kilometres of roads for the facelift of Obuasi township, which is on-going.

Minor roads in Mampong, Ofinso and Konongo are also being fixed."

Dr. Bawumia noted that similar road projects are going on throughout the country, adding that the Sinohydro deal will facilitate the massive rehabilitation and construction of roads and other infrastructure in the country.

He called for continuous support for the President to execute these projects for all to benefit.

"Continue to support us and give another term to Akufo-Addo. Four more for Akufo-Addo for more projects and benefits."