Road to be constructed in Eastern Region

Nsawam Nov. 25 GNA - Mr Joe Gidisu, the Minister of Roads and Highways, on Tuesday cut the sod at a ceremony at Nsawam for work to start on feeder roads totalling 71.76 kilometres in the Eastern Region. The roads constitute Lot 2 of road infrastructure development in the region under the Transportation Project of Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Ghana Project.

Some of the roads are Odeikrom/Pakro 7.44 kms, Nsawam/Odeikrom 6.7 kms, Odeikrom/Dago, 9.97 kms, Adese/Ankwaso/Aboabo, 10.26 kms and Amanfrom-Otiakrom, 7.85.

Mr Gidisu said the decision to include those roads in the Transportation Project of the Millennium Challenge Account Compact was consistent with government's plans to upgrade the nation's road infrastructure in order to improve transport disparities between the rural and urban areas. It also aimed to reduce vehicle operating and maintenance costs and thereby improve the competitiveness of agricultural producers located in the Akuapem South District who would use those roads.

Mr Gidisu said poor road infrastructure inhibited the expansion of agricultural opportunities by limiting linkages to major domestic and international agricultural markets.

He noted with satisfaction that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC's) funding of the Transportation Project is to undertake improvements to the roads network, in particular primary and secondary roads in the Intervention Zones.

Mr Gidisu appealed to all who would be affected by the project to cooperate with the consultants in charge of resettlement and the contractors who would be working on the roads.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minster, said for Ghana to make a significant impact on its development agenda and eventually join the middle income community of Nations, the need to give the road sector priority attention could not be over emphasized. He said by concentrating or giving priority to the construction of feeder roads, the government wanted to prove wrong the impression that good roads are more or less the preserve of cities and urban centres. 'As a government that believes in social democracy, it is our desire to work and satisfy the social needs of all categories of persons in the country".

Ms Julie Furuta-Toy, US Deputy Chief of Mission, said the US government was committed to working with countries that demonstrated good governance by supporting development of infrastructure and key economic sectors in the poorest geographical areas.