Akufo-Addo inaugurates 40.4 km Bechem-Techimantia-Akomadan road

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has inaugurated the 40.4 kilometres (km) Bechem-Techimantia-Akomadan road project reconstructed at the cost of €50 million.

Funded by the Government of Ghana, through the London Branch of the Deutsche Bank AG, it runs in the south-north direction from Bechem through Dwomo and Techimantia, all in the Ahafo Region, to Akomadan in the Ashanti Region.

The asphaltic carriageway is Regional Route 66 (R66) in the Ahafo Region, and connects National Route 6 (N6) at Bechem to the National Route 10 (N10) at Akomadan in the Ashanti Region.

The reconstruction of the road consists of 38.9km lane, 1.5-km dual section, 16.8-km concrete U-drains and 7.2-km trapezoidal lined drains. It also has lay-bys and pedestrian walkways, streetlights, grassing or pitching along urbanised sections.

Implemented by the Ministry of Roads and Highways, it was constructed by Gabriel Couto Rango to connect several agriculture communities. The project, which commenced in September, 2021, provides an important link between Ashanti, Ahafo and the Bono East regions. 

12,830 kilometres

At the inauguration at Techimantia in the Tano South Municipality in the Ahafo Region, President Akufo-Addo said his administration had successfully completed a total of 12,830 kilometres of roads across the country.

A portion of the Bechem-Techimantia-Akomadan Road

He said between 2017 and 2023, the country had witnessed an extraordinary expansion and improvement on the road network. "From 2009 to 2016, that is the John Evans Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama era, our nation completed 4,636 kilometres of roads and five interchanges/overpasses.

"However, since January 2017, that is Akufo-Addo and Mahamudu Bawumia era, we have witnessed exceptional improvement in our road network nationwide," he said
President Akufo-Addo said the government was constructing additional roads, including interchanges and bridges across the country.

He said the government was currently working on 10 new interchanges, explaining that five of them would be completed by the end of the year, while the rest were expected to be completed in 2025.

"These developments are unparalleled in the history of Ghana, reflecting the level of commitment and efficiency in addressing our infrastructure needs that have not been seen before," he explained.

President Akufo-Addo said the impact of the development would enhance connectivity, boosting economic activities and improving the quality of life for countless Ghanaians.

"Nevertheless, you are all aware of the continual cry within our body politic for more roads, which indicate that the road deficit that my administration inherited was indeed substantial.

"A previous government could not complete even half of what my administration has achieved. The road deficit in Ghana has significantly reduced. These have facilitated easier movement of goods and services, which has eliminated many challenges in our communities," he said.

"Every region in Ghana has benefited from the massive road programme the government has initiated since 2017, the year which I took office," he said.

President Akufo-Addo said it was imperative for all future governments to continue the momentum. He expressed the need for successive governments to build on the foundations to ensure sustainable investment in infrastructure to address the road deficit and meet the needs of Ghanaians.

Restrictions

President Akufo-Addo charged the Ministry of Roads and Highways to enforce restrictions on the road. Additionally, he urged the ministry to ensure regular routine maintenance of the roads to protect the huge investment the government had made.

He said the government completed the project, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that brought major destructions in every sector of the economy. President Akufo-Addo said the road carried national, regional and international traffic, thereby fostering economic development as well as regional trade and integration.

He said the completion of the road would help boost agriculture and economic activities along the corridor. President Akufo-Addo said the completion of the road was part of the measures the government put in place to improve the condition of the road network in the country.

Safety regulations

For his part, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, advised commuters, particularly drivers, to adhere to safety regulations. He said their compliance and response to the use of the road was essential to ensure that they enjoyed the full benefits of the facility.

Mr Asenso-Boakye said the construction of the road had created job opportunities for local residents. The Ahafo Regional Minister, George Yaw Boakye, said the road was one of the best in the country.

He said work on other roads in the regions were ongoing to improve the road sector in the area. The Omanhemaa of the Bechem Traditional Council, Nana Adwoa Poh Dwamena Serwaa, commended President Akufo-Addo for investing in the development of the area.

She said since the creation of the region, it had benefited from several projects such as the Ahafo Regional Education office at Bechem, roads and other projects. In that regard, Nana Serwaa declared the support of the chiefs and people in the area for the New Patriotic Party in the December general election.

She said they would vote massively for NPP candidates to continue their developmental projects. Nana Serwaa, however, called on President Akufo-Addo to facilitate the completion of the Bechem and Techimantia town road.

Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh