Over 1000km of cocoa area roads to be constructed

as WB pumps U$225 million into roads


By Osabutey ANNY
kwaku.express@gmail.com

The World Bank has made available $225 million to the Ministry of Road and Highways for the expansion of various networks in the country. Speaking to journalists in Accra, the sector Minister, Joseph Gidisu also announced that a total of 1,644.5km of road leading to cocoa growing areas of the country will be rehabilitated.
Mr. Gidisu explained that the World Bank funding would be channelled into civil works during road construction under the road sector project which is expected to improve mobility of goods and passengers.

He admitted that most of the country’s roads are in deteriorating state, but indicated that on completion of the road sector project in 2014, the safety standards on most of the roads in the country would be greatly improved.

There are seven components to the project, according to information on the World Bank’s website. The first component will support the Ministry of Roads and Highways to carry out feasibility studies, develop a geographical system and strengthen management information.

The second component, the ministry reported, is targeted at supporting the road sector and educational entities. This component will support the activities of four agencies: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the Government Technical Training Centre (GTTC).

The third component will be channelled into improving the country’s trunk roads and will consist of the rehabilitation of a major trunk road from Ayamfuri-Asawinso, including the provision of technical assistance for the supervision of the works and related environmental and social safeguards measures. The fourth component includes the rehabilitation of some arterial roads (Burma Camp Road and Giffard Road) and public transport infrastructure.

Mr. Gidisu also listed several roads earmarked for rehabilitation in the coming months. They include Adenta- Ofankor, Madina- Patang roads, all in Accra, and the Kumasi- Techiman road.

He noted that additional trunk roads will be constructed to open up the country and ease traffic. He also announced that work will start soon on the Kaneshie-Mallam road, which is presently a scene of endless traffic.

Major roads around the eastern and central corridors, the minister mentioned, will be rehabilitated to ensure that food from those areas of the country are brought in without the stress drivers and traders endure.

The European Union he said, has committed an amount of more than forty five million Euros for the rehabilitation of the Dodo-Pepso-Nkwanta road in the Volta Region of Ghana. He was confident when completed it will open up the eastern corridor which is also a source of food supply to the country.