Roads and Highways Minister Governs Kwame Agbodza has hit back at the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) over its concerns about the Accra-Kumasi highway, accusing the previous administration of abandoning the project before the 2024 general elections.

His comments followed a letter by Bantama MP and former Roads and Highways Minister Francis Asenso-Boakye to President John Dramani Mahama, urging the government to reconsider its proposal to construct a new six-lane expressway between Accra and Kumasi.

Mr Asenso-Boakye argued that the proposed project could undermine the progress made on the ongoing dualisation of the Accra-Kumasi corridor, which he described as technically sound, economically justified and already yielding results.

But responding to the concerns during an interview with Kwesi Parker Wilson on Oyerepa Breakfast Time, Mr Agbodza questioned the NPP’s renewed emphasis on the importance of the highway while in opposition.

“I have respect for my colleague in Parliament, Asenso-Boakye. We have had very fine discussions about this in the past. I know he means well for Asanteman, but sometimes when you are speaking, you check your own record,” he said.

Mr Agbodza said the entire Accra-Kumasi road had been in a deplorable condition under the previous administration, yet the NPP failed to complete any of the eight lots of the project before leaving office.

“Did that section get damaged last year? The entire Accra-Kumasi road existed. It was in a deplorable state. You took the decision to improve it, but you abandoned it prior to the election. There is a new government trying to improve it, and you sit in your house and keep shouting,” he stated.

He questioned why the former administration believed it understood the importance of the highway better than the current government.

“You abandoned it and we are trying to clear your debt to work on the road. Why do you think you know the importance of the road more than us?” Mr Agbodza asked.

The Roads Minister further challenged the NPP’s record on the project, saying the current administration had been engaging contractors and consultants involved in the earlier arrangements in an effort to advance the work.

“If we don’t recognise the importance of that road, how come we have been able to work with the contractors and consultants under your own NPP regime? You couldn’t complete even one of the eight lots,” he said.

Mr Agbodza also questioned the timing of the NPP’s concerns about the condition and importance of the highway.

“Since when did the NPP begin to recognise that the Accra-Kumasi highway has become a death trap? After you abandoned the project before the 2024 election, or now that you are in opposition that you recognise the importance of the road?” he asked.
Source: KAB