The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, says the government spends about 70 percent of its urban roads budget on the Greater Accra Region due to the capital’s size, population and importance to the country.
He made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, at the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra.
The Minister was responding to concerns raised by the Ga Mantse over the deteriorating road network in Ga Mashie and other parts of Accra.
According to Mr. Agbodza, the government is undertaking several interventions to improve the road network in the capital and ease increasing traffic congestion.
“We probably spend 70 percent of our urban road budget on Greater Accra. And rightly so, because it’s the largest city and it’s the most important city in our country,” he said.
He, however, acknowledged that the condition of some roads in Accra remains challenging, attributing the situation partly to years of inadequate maintenance and increasing traffic volumes.
Mr. Agbodza said the government was therefore implementing interventions aimed at improving the road network incrementally across the capital.
He disclosed that the government’s broader vision includes efforts to dualise the road from Tema through Osu and towards the old Winneba Road, which he said could help reduce pressure on the Kasoa corridor.
The Minister also directed the Ministry’s engineers to work with representatives of the Ga Mantse to assess roads within Ga Mashie and determine the interventions required.
“I would direct that Engineer Amo, within a week, should work with anybody you assign to look at the network within the catchment area you talked about, so that we can see what we can do,” he said.
The Ga Mantse had earlier described the road network in Ga Mashie as a major concern, citing congestion and the deteriorating condition of roads in the area.
Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II urged the Ministry to prioritise the rehabilitation of roads within Ga Mashie and other parts of Accra, saying improved roads would enhance living conditions and economic activity.
The Minister assured the Ga Mantse of the Ministry’s commitment to working with traditional authorities and other stakeholders to improve infrastructure in the capital.
He also stressed the need to balance infrastructure development with the preservation of Accra’s cultural and historical heritage.
“We are sensitive to our heritage as a people. We will not willingly or just carelessly destroy any place of historical importance to our city or to any part of our country,” Mr. Agbodza said.
