The Accra-Tema Motorway, he said, which was well over 50 years remained in good condition, while more expensive asphalt roads constructed recently deteriorated not long after they had been completed, he noted.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Ghana Road Fund Management and the Ghana Highway Authority boards in Accra last Monday, Dr Bawumia recalled the concerns expressed by many Ghanaians during the 2016 electioneering about the poor nature of their roads.

“If we are able to grow our roads in terms of quantity and quality, then we will see better development because the infrastructure will support that development,” he said.

The Vice-President said roads that were constructed two to three years ago started deteriorating after a few rainy seasons, “which really means we have to look for new money after just a few years to reconstruct a lot of these roads”.

Waste of money

That, for Dr Bawumia, was “a waste of money” and he charged members of the boards to ensure that the country built roads that could stand the test of time and “not just after a few rainy seasons”.

He said the Accra-Tema Motorway was an example of how roads could last if properly constructed.

“Building roads with concrete will last over 40 years, which means that if you look at the cost, it could cost much less than your typical asphalt road; so we should really think about it as a country as we move forward,” he urged.

Dr Bawumia said the raw materials for the production of concrete roads and the expertise could be found locally, thus providing a cost-effective option and creating jobs as well.

He urged members of the boards to bring their expertise to bear on the respective entities to which they had been appointed.

Boards

The Road Fund Board is chaired by Mr Robert Adu Mantey, with Ms Yvonne Quansah, Ms Vivienne Gadzekpo, Messrs Eugene Ofosuhene, Inusah Shirazu, Prince Benjamin Aboagye, Azara Abubakar and Daniel Attoh Agroh as members.

The others are Mr Abdullai Abubakari Yakubu, Nana Osei Bonsu, Messrs G.D Boateng Ludwig Hesse, Lemuel Quarshie Martey and Godwin Joseph Brocke.

The Highway Authority Board is chaired by Dr Francis Acheampong and has as its other members Mr Godwin Joseph Brocke, Mangowa Ghanney, Mr Ben Asomani, Ms Adelaide Ano-Kumi, Mr Victor Owusu, Mr Senyo Kosi Hosi, Mr Frederick Kwabena Akwaboah, Mr Benjamin Ewusi Darbah and Mr Felix Aboagye.

Present at the ceremony were the Minister of Roads, Mr Kwasi Amoako Atta and his two deputies, Mr Anthony Abayifa Karbo and Mr Kwabena Owusu Aduomi.