The Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon Francis Asenso Boakye has formally informed Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II about his reassignment from the Ministry of Works and Housing to the Ministry of Roads and Highway.
The reassignment took place on February 14, 2024, in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s first and major Ministerial reshuffle.
Leading the Minister and his entourage to the Manhyia Palace was the Director of Urban Roads for the Kumasi Metropolis, Ing Nana Poku Agyeman.
He was in the company of Deputy Minister, Hon. Thomas Mbomba, Chief Director of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ing Dr Abass M. Awolu, Director of the Department of Urban Roads, Ing. James Amoo-Gottfried, Director of the Contracts Division of the Ghana Highway Authority, Ing Collins Donkor and others.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation Ing Nana Poku said the Minister is commencing a nationwide tour to all sixteen regions to get himself abreast with the level of ongoing road infrastructures and road networks in the country.
He said the tour begins in the Ashanti Region, making it imperative for him to inform the King about his reappointment and seek blessings and counsel.
In his speech, the Minister, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for the Bantama Constituency, said he had to isolate himself to focus on paperwork at the Ministry to get up-to-date with all projects on the table following his reassignment.
“I come today to thank Otumfuo for his support. If I have advanced in politics, credit goes to his counsel,” he added.
On road construction, he said the majority of road infrastructure developed by the current government can be found in the Ashanti Region.
“Ashanti Region has the largest road network. The road networks in the region play a crucial role in all parts of the country and neighbouring countries. All ports use these roads and that is why they must gain attention. The Akufo-Addo-led government’s road projects in the Ashanti region surpass all regions but we still have more to do. At the same time, there must be balance in the construction of road infrastructures in the country. Other regions are also in consideration.”
Outlining some road projects on his table, he confessed, “I have limited time. I will not be able to complete all of them but I know with His Majesty’s direction, I will deliver satisfactorily.”
His Majesty underscored the significance of road infrastructure in businesses and the development of all sectors of the economy and directed that economic roads be prioritised in the face of limited resources.
Additionally, the Occupant of the Golden Stool called for prompt payment of road contractors to enable them to carry out their contracts.
“Even the little payment you make to them, they will go back to the road and work. It is not good to hold contractors up in waiting when it comes to payment. Put measures in place to deal with these incidents.”
Source: Manhyia Palace
