By Iddi Yire
Kwaso (A/R), Sept. 14, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the 175.6km Accra-Kumasi Expressway construction project will be executed through locally generated funds.
“Let me announce that the Minister of Finance has put aside $2 billion for financing this Accra-Kumasi Expressway. The money is ready. It is sitting in a special account at the Bank of Ghana,” the President said in his address at the official ceremony of the handover report of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway clearing task at Kwaso near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region.
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is a flagship project under the Government of Ghana’s Big Bush infrastructure Programme aims to improve connectivity between Ghana’s two major cities Accra and Kumasi and reduce travel time to approximately two hours using this critical corridor.
Pursuant to the Ghana Armed Forces’ constitutional mandate, in support of National development, the Ministry of Roads and Highways requested, through the Ministry of Defence, the employment of the military engineers to undertake some pre-construction activities on the Accra-Kumasi Expressway.
“So, when this project starts, money is not going to be a problem. All certificates presented by the contractor will be paid instantly. And so there will be no problem with that,” the President said.
“And let me also announce that this is our own money. We have not gone to borrow money from anywhere. This money is the money of the taxpayers of Ghana.”
He said Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Finance Minister assured that by the end of the year, they would have the full amount.
“So far, $2 billion is in the account. By the end of the year, we’ll have the full amount for the completion of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway.”
The President expressed Government’s intention to extend the Expressway up to northern Ghana.
Nana Osei Fosu Adutwum II, Kwasohene, who commended President Mahama for initiating the Accra-Kumasi Expressway Project, also appealed to Ghanaians to support the President in his efforts to develop the nation.
He also appealed to the President to site one of the 16 new Senior High Schools (SHSs) the Government intends to construct in Kwaso, stating that Kwaso had no SHS.
He also appealed to the President for establishment of a nursing training school in his traditional area, stating that land was available for such projects.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei