Existing Accra-Kumasi highway has not been abandoned – Agbodza

Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has dismissed concerns that the government has abandoned the existing Accra-Kumasi highway project. According to him, the project stalled because its original scope changed significantly, requiring a fresh assessment of the cost and work needed to complete it. Speaking on Oyerepa TV, Agbodza explained that the previous government initially awarded the various sections of the project without adequate feasibility studies, with the combined cost estimated at about $1.9 billion. “The reason the project stalled was not because President Mahama decided to stop it. President Mahama has never directed us to stop any project. Rather, the project stalled because the scope completely changed and the government of the day did not have the ability to review and say, ‘What is the new cost?’” he said. He said contractors were mobilised to site after the project was approved, but several factors that were not adequately considered at the initial stage later necessitated major changes to the scope. Accra-Kumasi Expressway to complement existing highway – Agbodza Agbodza said the government has since taken steps to reassess the project to determine the current cost and the appropriate approach to completing the various sections of the highway. He stressed that the government’s position is to complete the existing Accra-Kumasi highway while also pursuing plans for the new Accra-Kumasi Expressway. Agbodza also said the Ghana Armed Forces Engineers Regiment had been involved in clearing the right of way as part of preparations for the road projects. He contrasted the current approach with the situation in 2017, when, according to him, the government at the time suspended projects for auditing after assuming office. Agbodza maintained that the Mahama administration has not issued any blanket directive to halt ongoing road projects, insisting that the focus has been on reassessing projects whose scope and financial requirements have changed. MRA/BAI Stan Dogbe Orders Kpeshie Lagoon Restoration After Demolition of Illegal Structures Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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