President John Mahama has asked Ghanaians not to allow the current power crisis to distract them from paying attention to the major improvements in other sectors of the economy.
According to President Mahama, though the focus on the current problems in the nations’ power sector was merited, the same attention should be given to other equally important sectors.
“I know that the focus of most Ghanaians is on the power crisis which we are working hard to resolve, but while we are distracted by the power crisis, a lot of work is going on in the road sector, in providing good quality drinking water, improving out healthcare.
“So while we are working to resolve the power crisis, we should also be making sure that these other aspects of our life that are just as important are taken care of,” the President added.
The President was speaking during a tour of the Nsawam-Suhum-Apedwa dual carriage highway which he said, when completed, will benefit not only vehicle owners but also help market farm produce.
“Roads are important because they move not only passengers, goods but also agricultural produce,” President Mahama said.
Record $1 billion investment on roads
The President reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the quality of roads across the country, stating that up to a billion dollars will be dedicated to the sector.
“Over the next five years, starting from last year 2014, we are going to spend as much as $1 billion on roads across the country. This includes the cocoa roads project. For instance the Suhum-Asamankese road that has also been a major [headache] is being done. Asamankese town roads are being done, Adaeso to Asamankese is being done, to Kade is going to be done and in Akwatia, all the roads in that section are going to be improved,” President Mahama assured.
Accra-bound section set for October completion
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Inusah Fuseini, who accompanied the President on the tour, stated that he expected the Accra-bound stretch of the highway to be completed by October.
“We have concentrated our efforts in doing the Accra-bound section of this road so as to mitigate the hardships that commuters on this road go through.
There were some sections that were very bad. The drivers used complain a lot and that has been asphalted now. We are told that by the close of October this year, the Accra-bound section will be duly completed and opened to traffic,” Inusah Fuseini said.
President Mahama also announced that government is now seeking finances to complete the Kumasi-bound stretch of the dual carriage way.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana