According to them, an earlier report by Citi News had pushed the government to begin work on the road, which was abandoned weeks later.

Caleb Kudah, who filed the first report three months ago, returned to the are to report on the progress that had been made.

He however observed that, the road that runs through the community had deteriorated, leaving drivers frustrated particularly when it rains.

One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, accompanied Caleb Kudah on a drive through the community, and expressed her frustration with the daily hustle the residents have to endure when they ply the route.

“You need to be extra vigilant. It’s very strenuous. Look at all these manholes we are falling into, if it were a rainy day and they were full, how would we see and avoid them,” she said.

“The day [Citi FM] aired the report, I saw trucks full of gravel. The next morning they had leveled the road. I thought that was the end to our troubles but it was only a camouflage.”

Driving through the pitch black streets, Caleb Kudah inquired about streetlights, and was immediately told “there is nothing like that over here.”

“The whole place is dark, you can imagine what happens when it rains. It’s terrible, you can’t tell where you are going and what you are passing through,” she added.

She added that, the residents had to contend with a swarm of mosquitoes whenever it rained, due to the presence of uncovered drains that had been left behind by the contractors.

“You can’t describe this as a road because they have stopped the work, water collects in the drains, and spills onto the road when it rains. This breeds mosquitoes.”

She also likened the situation in the area to the “Akosombo Dam”, and stated that she always left her car at work whenever there was a downpour as she could not risk driving it through the large puddles on the road.

“Plying this road daily with my car – a Kia Picanto – is dangerous. Sometimes, when it rains, I don’t try coming home with a car. I park my car in the office and take a trotro back home.”

Listen to Caleb Kudah’s full report below:

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Report by: Caleb Kudah

The post Teshie residents bemoan ‘impassable’ roads, no street lights [Report] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

There have been several calls on the government to complete the interchange and fix other portions of the Tema Motorway which many motorists say is in a deplorable state.

[contextly_sidebar id=”pMi9A1wcczGNsWtkrF4vMLi5gV0UjEQJ”]Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Karbo said the Road Fund, which was specifically set up to finance road projects across the country, is cash-strapped to finance these projects.

“As we speak, the loan is kicked in and releases to the road fund have been hijacked ..Our hands are tied. We are in a very difficult situation. My Ministers have had sleepless nights and we all use the road on a daily basis” he lamented.

As part of measures to address these challenges, Mr. Karbo said government is currently seeking a strategic investor to fund various road projects.

“We are working tirelessly to ensure that beyond the limited resources available to government and Ministry to do these roads, we get a concessionaire or get a strategic investor. Indeed, many have come before the Ministry and expressed interest in working with us to ensure that at least the current tolls can be used. ”

Giving timelines for the Tema Motorway interchange road project, the Deputy Minister said: “I’m hoping that if all things work well, by the close of the year, we should be taking grounds on that.”

“The Tema Motorway is coming under construction.The first phase is done. We are looking at the Japanese and Chinese grant which are going to help us to build the three tier and two tier interchanges which will also help redistribute traffic within the Tema Industrial area,”he added.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post We’ve no money to fix Accra-Tema motorway now – Karbo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the Ministry receives GH¢ 1.2 billion from the Road Fund ever year but the “debt overhang in the Ministry is huge; close to GH¢ 11.6 bn in commitments, all contracts put together and that is big.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”lxKLfWQRLFuRznQ2sZr3uJRANo5sNePY”]He stated that due to the relatively negligible amount they receive annually, the Ministry is looking at other sources of funding for the road projects.

“The amount of money we are getting from the Road Fund is woefully inadequate to kick start the road sector the way we want to. There are lots of various arrangements we are looking at currently, BOT arrangements, PPP arrangements and some soft concessionary loans that we can tap into so we can expand the road network because they are quite critical,” Anthony Karbo said on Eyewitness News on Tuesday.

He argued that the lack of road projects by the current government was as a result of the debts left behind by the Mahama administration.

According to Karbo, the debts in the sector will have to be retired before any landmark projects can be efficiently undertaken

“Nothing seems to be happening also because of what we came to meet. We are not crying over spilt milk. We know there was a problem and that is why the Ghanaian people gave Nana Akufo-Addo this overwhelming mandate.

“The major projects we intend to do are capital intensive and involve a lot of money so if we don’t retire the debts we’ve met, they are going to be difficult. There are also contractual agreements, the more you delay in resolving the debts, you have delayed payments on interests and all these things go to shore up the money Gov’t has to retire these debts,” he added.

Anthony Karbo also suggested that the country’s tolling arrangements be reviewed, as the rates had not been adjusted for close to a decade.

“We need to look generally at the tolling arrangements we have in our country. For the last nine years, we haven’t adjusted the price of tolls in the country which is a very sensitive issue. But at the same time people will want to see good roads before they pay more tolls.”

‘Road fund coffers empty’

A Deputy Minister of Roads, Kwabena Owusu Aduom had earlier stated that the Ghana Road Fund is so depleted that it will take about 10 years to pay for already awarded contracts

According to the deputy Minister, the situation was worsened by the former government’s decision to award numerous road contracts in the last quarter of its administration.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post GH¢1.2bn Road Fund quota woefully inadequate – Karbo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The roads in Dunkonah has many potholes and is not traffic worthy. Motorists who ply this road struggle to keep their cars in balance because of the potholes and are compelled to frequent mechanic shops to have their cars fixed.

The residents also complain about the high cost of fares they pay for transportation when Citi News visited the place.

During rainy and Harmattan seasons, one drives at his or her own risk due to the absence of road markings, road signs or even proper street lighting.

Madam Alice Darko, a resident who has lived in the community for over 15 years, lamented the poor condition of the road.

“I’ve been living in this community for 17 years and I’ve never seen a grader from the local government or even the MP on this road,” she said.

The resident association had asked each household in the community to pay GHc4, 000 to have the road fixed but no one has paid yet.

The poor nature of the road has also affected police response to crime. Dunkonah has no police station and over the past few weeks, several cases of armed robbery and violence connected to land litigation, have occurred.

The Assemblyman for the area, Mr. Yaw Atampuri believes that better roads will hasten police response to crime in Dunkonah.

Minister for Roads and Highways Kwesi Amoako Atta said the government is committed to fixing bad roads in the country, agitated residents of Dunkonah are hoping that they will also be beneficiaries.

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By: Akua Asantewaa Anane-Darko/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post The deplorable roads hidden behind the West Hills mall appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the residents, their roads are so deplorable that private cars have stopped plying the road except for tipper trucks, 207, urvan buses and rickety commercial taxis.

Even Police officers who are stationed at a local station in the area have had to park their vehicles at a filling station on the Ashaiman Katamanso road and then join commercial vehicle to work at the New York Police station.

This they attributed to the bad nature of their roads thereby compelling salon vehicles to stop using the roads.

Along the shoulders of the road are quite a number of broken down vehicles with their shafts, links and ball joints ripped apart.

According to some of the residents who spoke to Citi News, they said most salon private cars have had to park their cars at some filling stations along the main Ashaiman to Katamanso road to board commercial vehicles into the communities.

Some of the drivers who ply the communities told Citi News that they have tried on several occasions since the last administration to get their roads fixed but to no avail.

They said they will embark on a massive demonstration if the new District Chief Executive, Solomon Appiah fails to show signs of constructing the road.

“We are tired of the promises and this time round we are not going to take those fake excuses and promises given us by the District Assembly because we are dying. Look at our cars, they look rickety not because they are old but due to the horrible and terrible nature of the roads”

When Citi News visited the area, it was clear that the road has developed huge pot holes that can be likened to valleys.

Salon cars that dread to use the road have the mud water in the wide holes on the road cover almost up to their door level.

A resident, who works at the Ministries told Citi News how he has to struggle on daily basis to get to work ” As you can see, I just left home going to work and my car was washed before leaving home but look at it now, it’s like I’m coming from the jungle. We are so tired of hearing the rhetoric from the District Assembly and I will personally support any group of persons who would wish to stage a demonstration because we are dying. My pregnant wife has to relocate to my in-law’s house at Ashaiman due to the hell she goes through each time she has to go for antenatal.”

The angry residents and drivers said they are planning to pay a courtesy call on the DCE to officially inform him of their problems and subsequent plans of demonstrating to ensure he is in the know and not taken off guard.

“We have planned a demonstration slated sometime this month but as courtesy demand, we wish to officially visit the MCE and brief him of our current predicaments and if no practical assurances are heard from him, then we shall continue with our planned demonstration unabated.”

When contacted, the Municipal Chief Executive, Solomon Appiah noted that he is aware of the bad nature of the roads and appealed to residents to endure until the rainy season is over.

He said attempts to grade the roads earlier this year were dashed by the rains hence the need to wait till the rains are over.

However, in an attempt to fill some of the wide holes on the road, Citi News can say the DCE has poured some trips of soil on the road to ensure motorist get a temporary relief from the wide disturbing holes on the road.

But the residents and drivers have kicked against the move, saying clay isn’t the right material to be used on such a road since it would rather deepen their woes.

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By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kpone Katamanso: Residents threaten demo over bad roads appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Roads to be closed

The roads expected to be closed are :

28^th February Road from the CEPS Headquarters to Castle Road Junction

Osu Cemetery Traffic Light on the Lokko Street

Castle Road from AU Circle to Osu Cemetery Traffic Light

Starlet 95 Road will be closed at the Ministries Traffic Light Intersection

Traffic Diversions

The following traffic diversions were also announced:

Traffic from the 28^th February Road emanating from La, Labone, and Osu heading towards the Central Business District will be diverted unto the Salem Avenue at the Castle Traffic Light to link up with the Oxford Street.

Traffic from John Evans Atta Mills High Street towards Black Star Square shall be diverted unto the Liberia Road at the CEPS Headquarters traffic light towards the National Theatre Traffic Lights Intersection

Motorists from Lokko Street towards the Castle Road should use Ajumaku Street and Oxford Street

Traffic from AU Circle towards the Castle Road through Osu Cemetery Traffic Light shall be diverted unto the Abdul Diouf and King Hassan Roads to link with Gamal Abdul Nasser Road in front of Ghana Institute of Journalism.

The statement further indicated that “vehicles with appropriate anniversary embossed with  stickers such as Red, Gold and Green will be allowed to park at the Black Star Square arena.”

Car parks

The following areas have also been earmarked for car parking at the event:

• The forecourt of the State House
• The International Conference Centre
• Access Bank car park
• The Osu Cemetery car park
• The Accra Sports Stadium car park
• The Ministries area

The statement said “no vehicle would be allowed to park at unauthorized places or drive through these road blockages. Security vehicles and vehicles carrying dignitaries would be allowed after through checks.”

It added that “traffic police officers would be on hand to direct and assist motorists to appropriate car parks and diverted roads.”

“Towing cars would be available to two any abandoned disabled or wrongly parked vehicles at the event grounds and owners surcharged.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Independence day parade: Police announces closure of roads appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Amoako Attah said this when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee today [Wednesday] to be vetted.

“…If you take all the toll booths in the country as at now, we have 35 of them nationwide, and out of this 35, it is only four that are automated, and the four are the Ngleshie Amanfrom, Accra Plaza , Tema Plaza and the Amasaman booth.

“What I will do to improve on the toll collection is to improve on the automation of many of them as possible. I will ensure that those that can be automated will be automated to improve toll collection,” the Minister Nominee said.

He further stated that, government will “improve feeder road aspects of the total road network.”

This , he said, will “mean taking seriously the process of using the Road Fund, which is set up for routine and periodic maintenance.”

Mr. Attah believes that “If we use that fund properly, we will be able to put a lot of these feeder roads into good shape, obviously for economic development… by bringing foodstuff and other cash crops that are locked up in the hinterlands.”

He also emphasized the need to “sharpen competence in road toll collection, since it is the second highest contributor to the Road Fund.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post We’ll automate every toll booth – Kwasi Amoako-Attah appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Addressing a press conference in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, Nana Akufo-Addo stated that, at several places where he campaigned, Ghanaians were asking for roads and school projects among others; an indication that the Mahama-led administration has little to show for its eight years of stewardship in the highest office of the land.

“We’ve heard that in the last four years, Ghana has seen unprecedented levels of infrastructural development; but everywhere we go, people are complaining about roads. There is nowhere that I’ve gone to in all the 275 constituencies in the ten regions that chiefs  do not complain. They either complain about lack of schools or roads. Yet we are told they [NDC] have undertaken unprecedented infrastructural development.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”hHfQCewVDhxX8JZovstZn5ky2JZ1ik6a”]He also accused the President of embarking on his campaign in a helicopter because of the bad nature of roads in the country.

“This person [Mahama]…does not go by road for his campaign, he uses helicopter yet those of us going by road, when we speak they insult us. When we complain, they insult us and say we usually sleep on the way.”

Akufo-Addo further hinted that, the only party that could transform the fortunes of Ghana for the better, is the NPP, hence should be given the chance on December 7, 2016.

“The infrastructural development that Ghana needs is not the one that is shown on TV, or captured in a supposed green book; we are talking about infrastructure which is visible, viable and working for the people; critical ones that will help open up this country.”

We’ll revamp railway sector

Nana Addo said his government will connect the various regions by constructing a robust railway system.

“…We have to complete the eastern and western rail corridors, and make sure that it is possible to connect Accra, Kumasi, Paga across the country. It’s a major infrastructure initiative we are going to take if we get the opportunity in office next week; we are going to do it,” added.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Ghanaians not seeing Mahama’s ‘unprecedented’ projects – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said it was unfortunate that the region had the least quota of tarred roads in the country despite its potential and contribution to the development of the nation, and gave the assurance that he was determined to reverse that trend if voted to continue the work.

President Mahama made the promise while addressing a rally at Wechiau in the Wa West District on the first day of his three-day campaign tour of the Upper West Region.

The President noted that, even though his government had done more roads than any other government in the history of the region, it was still lacking in terms of good road network, adding that he would give special attention to that if his mandate is renewed.

He said his first term witnessed massive infrastructure expansion in the area of health, education, electricity and the provision of good drinking water.

“We have extended electricity to so many communities and indeed, Ghana is estimated to have access to more than 80 per cent in electric power,” he said.

President Mahama said the Government had taken Ghana from 58 per cent access to clean drinking water in 2008 to 76 per cent access in 2016.

He praised his government for achieving 97 per cent in school enrolment including a gender parity ratio of 1:1 for boys and girls.

He said the Government had reduced maternal mortality rate in the country, and now more children were surviving beyond their fifth birthday resulting in a reduction in infant mortality.

The President said Ghana had the highest life expectancy of 63 years among its peers in Africa, but admitted that, there was still a lot more to be done to improve on the quality of life of the people.

President Mahama said he had gone round the country and the level of enthusiasm in appreciation of government’s effort at providing development infrastructure gave him confidence that the NDC was going to win the December polls.

He, therefore, called on supporters of the party to be calm and not give in to provocations by anybody to contribute to Ghana achieving another successful and peaceful election.

Earlier, President Mahama paid a courtesy call on Naa Sohimwininye Danaa Gori II and Naa Imoro Nandon Goma, the Paramount chiefs of Dorimon and Wechiau Traditional Areas, respectively.

Naa Gori appealed to the President for a separate district for the Dorimon Traditional Area to facilitate the development of the area.

The President also visited Funsi in the Wa East District, Issah and Bussie in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District and Kaleo in the Nadowli Kaleo District, where he addressed enthusiastic party supporters who stayed throughout the night waiting for his arrival.

He took the opportunity to introduce the party’s parliamentary candidates including Joseph Yieleh Chireh for Wa West, Dr Henry Seidu Danaa for Wa East and Dr Sebastian Sandaare for the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa Constituency.

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Source: GNA

The post I will construct your roads in my next gov’t – Mahama appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He was reacting to recent rumors in the press that he had deliberately refused to visit his manager Nana Asiama Hanson [Bull dog] after he got arrested.

Nana Asiama Hanson was arrested for the murder of Fenec Okyere, manager of Kwaw Kese after investigations by the homicide unit of the Police Criminal investigative department pointed to him as the prime suspect.

Speaking to Citi News in an exclusive interview, Shatta  Wale questioned the rationale behind all the negative reports and said he was not in any way swayed by them. “The industry people are always talking about me. But I know it is God who’s brought me this far.”

Reacting to bulldogs imprisonment he disclosed that “I know all their plans against Bulldog will not materialize, I know the God that takes care of me and will extend his mercy towards Bull Dog. God Is watching everyone.”

He also added that “I heard the media spreading all sought of rumors that I don’t even go and visit him[Bull Dog]. What worries me about the media is that they never say anything good about me. They only concentrate on the bad stuff that is said about me.”

He has asked the media to desist from those writing false reports about him saying “I beg  them, they should stop circulating false rumors about me. Actually, I don’t like what they are doing. Any bad thing they like to associate it to me. All the areas I know, Newtown Madina, Nima, they follow me because I am a man of truth.”

By: Benjamin Epton Owusu/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Stop spreading lies about me – Shatta wale warns Ghanaian media appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.