In a recent statement, Francis Asenso-Boakye, the Minister of Roads and Highways, emphasized that the road infrastructure achievements of the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration are unmatched by those of the previous John Mahama government.
This assertion comes in response to former President John Dramani Mahama, who questioned the NPP’s claim that 12,830 km of roads have been constructed since 2017.
The point must be made emphatically, that between 2017 and the end of 2023, the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration has constructed an impressive 12,830 km of roads compared to the 4,636km achieved by the previous administration.
Honorable Asenso-Boakye made the announcement during a media briefing at Tafo Station in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, where he revealed the government’s plans to dualize the Kumasi-Tafo-Mampong road.
The minister stated that Ghana holds a commendable position within Africa’s road network. He noted that, based on World Bank data, Ghana’s road density—calculated as kilometers of road per 100 square kilometers—surpasses the regional average.
Ghana boasts 32.8 kilometers of road per 100 square kilometers, nearly double the African regional average of 17 further complemented by our rural accessibility.
He noted that in Ghana, 63 percent of the population lives within two kilometers of all-weather roads, while the average for the African region is only 47 percent
Over the last seven years, a lot of investment has gone into road infrastructure, both paved and unpaved to improve the riding quality of our roads.
The minister mentioned that the ongoing works include asphalt overlays, construction, gravelling, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and partial reconstruction. He emphasized that this does not account for several major road projects currently at various stages of completion across the country.
He highlighted specific projects such as the School Junction-Motorway Road, Ofanko-Nsawam Road, Tamale-Yendi-Tatale Road, Agonankwanta-Tarkwa Road, Kasoa-Winneba Road, and Adenta-Dodowa Road.
Additionally, he reported that six interchanges and 35 bridges have been completed nationwide, with more than 10 interchanges and 50 bridges currently under construction.
During the president’s 2023 State of the Nation address, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo outlined his administration’s achievements in the road sector.
Mr. Asenso-Boakye noted that a national road network inventory is currently underway, with preliminary estimates suggesting that the total road network could reach 100,000 km by the end of the assessment. He added that by the end of December 2016, before the current government took office, the country’s road network measured 78,403 km.
This, however has shot up by 20 per cent to 94, 203 km by the end of 2023.
Hon. Asenso-Boakye stated that the government’s efforts in the road sector over the past seven years have significantly enhanced the condition of Ghana’s road network, now classified as 44 percent good, 34 percent fair, and 22 percent poor, compared to the state of the network prior to the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration.
He also pointed out that during the former president’s tenure, the total road network measured 78,402 km.
Of these, 39 per cent were in good condition, 32 per cent were in fair condition and 29 per cent were in poor condition.
This achievement reflected nearly three times the progress made by the previous administration within the same time frame. He acknowledged that there is still much work to be done, stating, Our government is dedicated to expanding road access to further improve our nation’s infrastructure and better meet the needs of the people.
