Former Minister for Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has dismissed claims by Roads and Highways Minister, Kwame Governs Agbodza, that the Akufo-Addo administration constructed only 673 kilometres of new roads during its eight-year tenure.
Speaking in Parliament on January 21, 2025, he accused his successor of misrepresenting the facts, arguing that the government actually constructed a total of 13,624 kilometres of roads between 2017 and 2025.
“Honorable Speaker, let me put on record that as of December 2024, per the transition report, the Akufo-Addo government had constructed 13,624 kilometres of road.
“This figure is against the 4,630 kilometres of road constructed by the previous government in eight years,” he stated.
Mr Asenso-Boakye stated that the total road network developed under the Akufo-Addo administration was a remarkable achievement, covering various aspects such as asphalt overlays, gravelling, reconstruction, and bridge construction.
He argued that Mr Agbodza’s focus on the 673 kilometres of newly constructed roads presented an incomplete and misleading picture of the government’s efforts.
According to him, while new road construction is crucial, other critical works such as asphalt overlays and re-graveling play an equally vital role in improving transportation infrastructure.
Providing examples, he cited major asphalt overlay projects in cities like Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Takoradi, which have significantly enhanced road quality and transportation efficiency.
He also highlighted the completion of approximately 6,000 kilometres of gravel roads, which he said were essential in rural areas to connect communities and improve accessibility.
Mr Asenso-Boakye further detailed that under the Akufo-Addo government, 1,665 kilometres of roads were reconstructed and upgraded, while 35 bridges were built across the country, contributing to the administration’s broader infrastructure development agenda.
“Many of us represent rural communities and understand the importance of gravelling in linking people and improving accessibility in these areas. These projects are crucial and cannot be dismissed simply because they are not new road constructions,” he noted.
He urged Parliament and the public to acknowledge the comprehensive nature of the road infrastructure initiatives undertaken by the NPP government, stressing that road maintenance and upgrades are vital to sustaining a robust national road network.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
