President launches road improvement programme: Initiative provides 2,240 road construction equipment - Creates 10,000 jobs
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has unveiled a fleet of 2,240 units of road construction equipment to decentralise development and ensure that every corner of the country benefits good road infrustraucture under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP).
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The equipment include motor graders, backhoes, rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, water tankers and low beds. A large part of the equipment was assembled in Ghana, which employed 2,000 local hands with support from the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Launching the DRIP at the Black Star Square in Accra on Wednesday [July 31, 2024], President Akufo-Addo said the DRIP was designed to empower the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) with the resources and equipment necessary to rehabilitate and maintain roads within their respective jurisdictions.
He explained that the programme, which would ensure the progress and prosperity of the country at the local level, was a clear demonstration of the government’s attachment to decentralisation, giving local authorities the tools they needed to effect meaningful change in their communities.
Committee
President Akufo-Addo said the implementation of the ambitious programme would be overseen by a four-member committee at each metropolitan, municipal or district assembly.
The committee will comprise one technical officer from the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, one technical officer from the Ministry of Roads and Highways, one person from the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, all under the overall chairmanship of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs).
President Akufo-Addo explained that the mandate would be to ensure the highest standards of quality and accountability in the execution of road projects across the nation.
He expressed excitement that the programme would create about 10,000 jobs for mechanics, engineers and artisans in general. President Akufo-Addo urged the MMDCEs to take full ownership of the initiative and adhere to the operational manual which would be issued by the supervising ministries and key stakeholders under the programme to ensure proper use and sustainability.
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Road economy
Delving into the vision behind the programme, President Akufo-Addo said the transformative initiative took into consideration the fact that the nation's road network was the security system of the economy, and that “roads were the veins and arteries through which commerce flowed, that farmers brought their produce to market, that children travelled to schools, and that healthcare services reached the remotest part of the country”.
Some of the equipment on display at the Independence Square in Accra. Picture: SAMUEL TEI ADANO
He said road infrastructure was the backbone of economic growth and social development, and also connected communities, facilitated trade, enabled access to education and health care, and ultimately improved the quality of life for the citizenry.
“However, despite the considerable progress we have made, many of our roads, particularly in the rural districts, remain in deplorable conditions, hampering economic activities and development efforts,” the President said.
He said it was to address these challenges that the DRIP had been launched and supported with the provision of 2,240 units of road construction equipment.
“By improving these road networks, we're ensuring that every Ghanaian, no matter where they are or live, is connected to the opportunities and services they need to thrive,” he indicated, and added that it was for this reason that from 2017 to December 2023, Ghanaians witnessed a remarkable level of expansion and improvement in the road network across the country.
Stats
Giving statistics about current road development in the country, President Akufo-Addo indicated that from 2009 to 2016, under the Mills-Mahama era, the nation completed 4,636 kilometres of roads and five interchanges and overpasses.
“However, since January 2017 to date, under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia era, we have witnessed exceptional improvements in our road network nationwide. We've successfully completed a total of 12,830 kilometres of roads across the country, and added six more interchanges,” he said.
Initiative
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, said through this initiative, the government would undertake critical road maintenance activities, including grading and gravelling of unpaved roads, performing minor spot improvements and installing minor drainage structures.
These initiatives, he said, went beyond infrastructure by connecting communities, facilitating commerce and ensuring that no part of our country was left behind. “It is important to highlight that the programme will complement other significant initiatives aimed at improving our road network, such as the “Enhanced Maintenance Programme, which was also launched by the Ministry of Roads and Highways just yesterday,” he said.
By integrating these efforts, we ensure a cohesive and strategic approach to enhancing road infrastructure nationwide, reflecting the government's holistic vision for development,” he added.
He said the Ministry of Roads and Highways and its agencies were fully behind the initiative, and were committed to providing the necessary technical assistance at the national, regional and district levels.
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Common Fund
The Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund, Irene Naa Torshie Addo-Lartey, said her outfit was the sole sponsor of the DRIP programme to accelerate the development of road infrastructure at the local level to address the situation of bad roads and its associated problems.
“As a funder of DRIP, we are committed to supporting this important initiative in the long haul to significantly improve the road network at the districts to facilitate the free movement of goods and people, enhance transportation of farm produce to reduce post-harvest losses, open new markets for local farmers and improve access to health care, among other benefits, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of quality of life,” she added.
