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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has cut the sod for the commencement of the dualisation of the 20-Kilometre Anwiankwanta-Ahenema-Kokoben road in the Manso Nkwanta Municipality in the Ashanti Region.
It is part of measures to improve the condition of the road network in the region. When completed, the project is expected to address the perennial congestion being experienced on the road and reduce the burden of motorists on the highway.
“These measures are targeted at reducing travel times, lowering vehicle operating cost and improving safety,” President Akufo-Addo said when he cut the sod last Monday at Pakyi NO.1.
He stated that the current situation on the stretch had affected the movement of goods to towns such as Ahenema-Kokoben, Brofoyedu, Kotwi, Trede, Ofoase Kokoben, Anwiankwanta and Obuasi, among others, and needed urgent attention.
Present at the sod-cutting ceremony were the Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, some traditional leaders and a cross-section of the public.
The President said his administration remained focused on its commitment to the dualisation of roads in densely populated areas along the country’s major corridors.
He added that the strategic projects it had initiated such as the dualisation of the Ofankor-Nsawam road and the Adentan-Dodowa road were not merely infrastructural projects, but also a confirmation of the government’s proactive approach to solving real life challenges.
“Government is committed to replicating such successful initiatives along other road corridors within the region, such as the Suame road to Tafo Pankrono, and to other parts of the country such as Takoradi and Tamale to decongest the urban areas,” President Akufo-Addo said.
He said so far, the Ashanti Region had seen significant progress in its road network with 2,079 kilometres of roads completed, which included upgrades and enhancements that had transformed the region’s connectivity and facilitated smoother transportation for residents and businesses alike.
The Minister of Roads and Highways underscored the importance of the Anwiankwanta-Ahenema Kokoben road as a vital link in the national transportation network.
“This all-important road link facilitates the movement of goods and people, connecting the Western, Central and Ashanti Regions to the northern parts of Ghana”. “It plays an essential role in our economy by supporting trade and travel across some of the most important regions of our country,” he said.
Mr Asenso-Okyere said rapid urbanisation had led to severe congestion on the road, especially during rush hours, making it a challenge for commuters and a bottleneck for economic activities.
“Today, we are taking a decisive step to address these pressing challenges. The dualisation project we are about to commence aims to transform this critical section of the N10, enhancing its capacity, safety and efficiency,” the Minister of Roads and Highways stated.
The primary objective of the reconstruction is to reduce travel time, improve mobility and ensure the safe and efficient transportation of goods and people.
It includes the provision of asphaltic concrete pavement with 50mm binder and wearing courses, each to ensure a durable and high quality road surface; the provision of two grade-separated interchanges to reduce congestion at critical points and the provision of service lanes on both sides of the main carriageway from 10 to 20 km to ensure smoother and safer access to adjoining properties and minor roads.
