To ensure government’s commitment to delivering the new Kumasi-Accra Expressway within the three-year time-frame, more local contractors are being engaged to take up different lots of the project. To this end, no single contractor will have more than 10Km of the stretch for construction, unlike other road projects which have single or fewer contractors working on long stretches.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who made this clarification emphasized that President John Mahama is certain of inaugurating the new road before stepping down in January 2029 and that, everything humanly possible is to be done by the government to keep to this promise.
Dr. Amoakohene was addressing some Members of the Mampong Municipal Assembly at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council during a courtesy call on him. The meeting was at the instance of the Assembly Members, led by the Presiding Member, Daniel Oduro, to among other objectives, commend Dr. Amoakohene on his appointment to that office and commit to supporting him deliver on his mandate, as a native of the Mampong area where he had twice contested as the NDC’s Parliamentary Candidate in previous elections.
The Regional Minister explained further that, the Expressway, which is an entirely new road from the existing one, is designed not to pass through any town, a decision taken to cut down on the cost of the construction by avoiding payment of compensation to landlords and ladies had it passed through communities. Instead, he noted, interchanges, underpasses and overpasses will be built at stretches where the road meets existing ones that lead to nearby towns and villages.
Dr. Amoakohene disclosed also that, as part of the project, government is to provide Rest Stops where interested private individuals or groups can rent and added that, the Expressway will have two automated Tollbooths at both ends in Kumasi and Accra, a toll that will be higher than on the existing trunk road.
By design, the Expressway will be less 50 Kilometres from the existing one with a less traveling time aimed at boosting trade and business for commuters and motorists.
He disclosed again that, government will construct a new ring road from Atia near Boankra in the Ejisu Municipality along the old road to the Offinso road so as to divert traffic involving heavy duty vehicles from accessing Kumasi to ease the human and vehicular congestion.
Dr. Amoakohene disclosed also plans by the government to upgrade the Tafo-Mamponteng road into a dual carriage to ease the heavy traffic on that stretch for easy movement for commuters.
Touching on government’s proposed 2nd National Theatre for the Ashanti region, the Regional Minister said he is already in discussion with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, in determining the most suitable location saying “we’re looking at Ejisu which is near Kumasi so that, it could help open up the town”. His response was to a suggestion by one of the Assembly Members that, Mampong should be considered for the social amenity. He said Mampong is completely out of the consideration because of the distance from Kumasi, the regional capital.
Addressing concerns of the Assembly Members for development projects in the Mampong Municipality, Dr. Amoakohene said he is in talks with some a state entity for the construction of an Astro Turf at Mampong Tadiem, the main recreational ground for the Mampong township. He assured them also that roads in the town will be upgraded while the municipality is also considered in the provision of street lights for safety and security of the people.
He said, already, some of the communities are benefiting from educational and health infrastructure projects.
“Initially, some people tried to look down on me due to my age. But they had forgotten that, I had previously contested for the Member of Parliament of Mampong twice and also won an election to become the Regional Secretary of the NDC”, he said amidst giggling.
He however disclosed that, “I did not expect this appointment. I thought I would be considered for either a CEO or at best, a Deputy Minister of State. I was there when President Mahama called to inform me of this appointment and I am very grateful to him.”
Dr. Amoakohene thanked the Assembly Members for the visit and the assurance of their support in the performance of his official duties.
The Presiding Member, Daniel Oduro, expressed the satisfaction of not only Members of the Municipal Assembly but the entire Mampong Municipality with his appointment as the Regional Minister as it has proven that Mampong has the quality human resource. “We’re also pride ourselves with your appointment and how gracefully you’ve performed so far”, the Presiding Member said with excitement.
Mr. Oduro pledged the unflinching support of the Mampong Municipal Assembly for Dr. Anoakohene in his tenure as the Regional Minister for him to succeed.
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