A member of Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee and MP for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has cautioned the government against halting the ongoing Accra–Kumasi dual carriageway project in favour of a proposed six-lane expressway.
He warned that such a move could violate constitutional obligations and result in a waste of public resources.
In a letter addressed to President John Dramani Mahama, Mr Asenso-Boakye called for a reconsideration of the new expressway plan, urging the government to prioritise the completion of the existing dualisation project instead.
The former Minister for Roads and Highways expressed concern that the new project could derail the significant progress made on the ongoing dualisation of the corridor — a project he described as “technically sound, economically justified, and already delivering results.”
Mr Asenso-Boakye highlighted that over 100 kilometres of the 240-kilometre stretch between Accra and Kumasi have already been dualised, with an additional 46 kilometres currently under construction, including critical bypasses at Anyinam, Osino, Enyiresi, and Konongo.
“Only 94 kilometres remain to be completed,” he noted, citing Ministry of Roads and Highways records.
“To abandon this progress now would not only be unwise but also unconstitutional,” he added, referencing Article 35(7) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates successive governments to continue development projects initiated by their predecessors.
The Bantama MP also questioned the feasibility and credibility of the proposed expressway, pointing out that the Ministry is still in the process of hiring a consultant for a feasibility study.
“There is no final design, cost estimate, or secured funding,” he observed. “Yet Your Excellency has stated publicly that construction will begin next year and be completed before your term ends — a timeline of less than three years. With my expertise and experience, I can say, without any fear of contradiction, that this timeline is not feasible.”
He also responded to concerns raised by the Roads Minister regarding cost overruns and variations in the existing project, acknowledging that such issues are common in large-scale infrastructure developments.
While supporting efforts to investigate any financial irregularities, he stressed that these should be addressed within legal and contractual boundaries rather than be used as grounds to cancel the project.
“Variations and cost adjustments are common in major infrastructure works,” he explained. “Discontinuing a critical national project based on unresolved variations not only undermines continuity but also sets a troubling precedent for future infrastructure development.”
Concluding his appeal, Mr Asenso-Boakye urged President Mahama to prioritise fiscal prudence and the national interest over political expediency.
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Story by Sika Togoh|univers.ug.edu.gh
