The 30-kilometer Kumasi-Obuasi Highway is under construction as promised by the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that 2020 is a year his government would embark on an aggressive road development across Ghana hence the tag, “Year of Roads.”

The evidence has been remarked as works on the Anwiankwanta -Obuasi highway has begun putting the road in a better condition to improve the economic activities of inhabitants in the various towns along the highway. The fulfillment is a statement of proof by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and his government towards Ghanaians.

 

 

The Anwiankwanta Obuasi road has been the argument for debates after years now because of the Gold mining trade associated with the city. Inhabitants have questioned past governments on why such a Municipal known to be the producer of Ghana’s Gold has its road left in such a deprived state yet answers were always left unattended leaving the voice of the people ignored and Members of Parliament castigated for their vain guarantees for power.

14 roads were approved by government to be constructed last year with a budgeted expenditure of $285m.

Included road projects were reconstruction of 27.2 KM Akropong-Pramkese-Adankrono road, 24.80 KM Osiem-Bogoro road, 22 KM Asuom-Subi-Kade road, 41.40 KM Kwabeng-Abomosu-Asuom road, 23.3 KM Kwabeng-Akropong and Akropong town roads and upgrading of the 30 KM Anwiankwanta-Obuasi road.

 

 

Others include 30 KM Kwadaso-Trabuom road, 23.3 KM Mampong-Kofiase road, and 71 KM Salaga-Bimbila road.  Additionally upgrading work will include 30.2 KM Odumasi-Adenta-Badu road, 7 KM Atronie-Mim road, rehabilitation of 21 KM Adankrono-Kade-New Abrem road (Lot 1) and 22.4 KM Kade-New Abrem road (Lot 2).

 

READ ALSO:

Covid-19: Kuwait Deportees were a Starting Point, we can’t Evacuate All Ghanaians Abroad at Once– Deputy Minister

 

Works on the road are ongoing and SoireeNews on Monday, May 25, 2020 was there to witness the effectiveness of the project. Its accomplishment would restore adequate employment, social, health, and education services in the Municipal and surrounding District Assemblies.

The stretch from Anwiankwanta to Ahwiaa has been applied with asphalt paving- because of work still in progress, road markings have not been attached and a section of spot at the Odaho Bridge has also been left unattended with intention of completing it soon.

 

 

Driving from Ahwiaa to Afoako junction is going through the aggregate base, where crushed stone or gravel is placed evenly on the road surface waiting for fine grading before asphalt is surfaced.

 

 

A road grader had leveled the highway from Afoako onwards attesting to the progress government is making to dissolve the deplorability of the highway.

Speaking to drivers who ply from Afoako Junction to neighboring towns on the buildup of the Anwiankwanta road, they commended the government for living up to their promises by finally putting the challenges on the road to bed and called for more to be done to resolve road crises in the Ashanti Region.

 

 

“Government has done well for constructing this road. One challenge that we are facing aside the Obuasi highway is the Bekwai Krofrom road. We are very certain that just as the government has started building this, he will surely complete it.

“From Amponya to Krofrom onwards to Bodoma is a short way but in a pathetic state. Heavy trucks have worsened the state of the road making it hard for us to transport passengers to towns within that distance.

 

 

“There is no gutter along the road so whenever it rains, flooding takes over which makes it hard for us. We are pleading unto the government to improve that road also to make carriage easier for us,” Akwasi Boadi, a taxi driver said.

Madam Mercy, a trader at Afoako Junction also appreciated the effort of the government and the contractor and expressed that the completion of the highway will recover commerce in the area.

 

 

“Because of the grading, the dust was too much on the road but it is better now. The contractor waters it every morning and afternoon, which resolves the dusty challenge we go through here.

“The poor nature of the road affected our trade for the reason that almost all the cars avoided this highway due to its deplorable state. If the construction is done, I believe it will help to empower our trade.

“Although there has been a delay at this particular station, yet it is for the best. They have worked on the gutters and still need to take time and successfully accomplish the job,’ she added.