Work to begin on Mallam-Kasoa road.

Ngleshie-Amanfrom, Dec.23, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday appealed to Ghanaians to be circumspect in blaming the multi-lateral institutions of the quagmire in Ghana's socio-economic development.

He said since the establishment of these institutions, they had assisted and encouraged most of the governments in Ghana to implement policies and programmes that would improve the standard of living of the people but with the present predicament of the people, the institutions should not be blamed.

"We should not blame the multi-lateral institutions for the predicament of Ghanaians, the past government had all the opportunity for the past 19 years to open up the country for socio-economic growth but they messed up. We are attracting more investments from these institutions, we should therefore not blame them", he said.

President Kufuor made the call when he cut the sod for work to commence on the 19-kilometre Mallam-Kasoa road at Ngleshie-Amanfrom in the Ga District of the Greater Accra Region.

The project, being financed by the International Development Agency (IDA) of the World Bank is estimated at 28 million dollars (244 Billion cedis out of which the Ghana Government is contributing about nine billion cedis), is expected to be completed within 24 months by December 2005.

The project to be made up of a six lane carriageway from Mallam up to about six kilimetres would be followed by four lane carriageway and dual carriageway to Kasoa, including an interchange at Kasoa to reduce the traffic congestion.

President Kufuor expressed appreciation to the International Monetary Fund (IMF ) and the World Bank for their co-operation and appreciation to government' s efforts to open up the country for socio-economic development that had resulted in the tremendous assistance especially in infrastructure development on a major priority of the government. "We acknowledge the immense assistance Ghana has received from its development partners in all sectors of the economy especially in road infrastructure development since the government assumed power", he said. He said reconstruction of the road was significant being the most hazardous, time wasting and traumatic section of the Trans West African Highway on entry to Accra, Ghana's capital.

President Kufuor warned officials of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to ensure they provide effective and efficient supervision on the road projects being undertaken throughout the country, other wise they would have themselves to blame.

Dr Richard Winfred Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport said the completion of the project would improve upon the socio-economic and agricultural activities within the road corridor and also facilitate the smooth and speedy movement of goods and services between Accra, Cape Coast, Sekondi and Takoradi.

Mr Mats Karlson, World Bank Resident Representative in Ghana said the road on completion would not only become an important in the national road network but formed a critical link in the economic and wealth creation of Ghana.

He commended the government for its economic policies and programmes that had improved the living standards of the people as well as social integration and prosperity to the people.