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The Minister of Roads, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has announced that the government will focus on completing the first two levels of the Suame Interchange, citing funding limitations that prevent full-scale construction.
In an interview on Woezor TV, Agbodza explained that the immediate past NPP government awarded the Suame Interchange project under a loan agreement, but because of Ghana’s current debt situation, the contractor has been unable to draw down funds to complete the work.
“Better than sardine”
The minister added that attempting to build all four levels at once is not feasible because the contractor has not received any funds.
“What we want to do is to work to complete a number of the levels. Completing the first two levels will significantly address the traffic situation while we consider the rest in the future when we raise the money,” Agbodza said.
“I think it is better to do something about it rather than waiting until we find a loan to do that,” he said.
Mahama visit
The Suame Interchange will consist of a four-tier interchange at the current Suame Roudabout; an overpass at Abrepo Junction; an overpass at Krofuom Junction; an overpass at Anomangye Junction; an overpass at Magazine New Road Junction; and an overpass at Abusuakruwa Junction.
The project is being undertaken by M/S Grupo Dizmar of Spain and Rango Construction Ltd, a Ghanaian company.
The complementary road component will be undertaken wholly by Rango Construction, supervision of the entire project being the responsibility of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, acting through the Department of Urban Roads.
President John Dramani Mahama is expected to visit the Ashanti Region in the coming days to inspect progress on the project and launch new infrastructure work under the government’s flagship “Big Push” programme, the Ashanti Regional Minister said on Sunday.
Frank Amoakohene made this announcement at the Akwasidae festival at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Sunday. He said the president would review construction at the Suame Interchange, a major traffic decongestion project started by the previous administration.
Dr Amoakohene said President Mahama would also cut the sod for several road projects aimed at easing congestion around Kumasi and improving transport links across the Ashanti Region.
More projects coming
Under the Big Push initiative, the government plans to construct multiple outer ring roads around Kumasi, including routes linking Ejisu Atia to Juaben Effiduase, Kwabre and Offinso, as well as corridors from Offinso to Adugyama and from Mankranso through Atwima Kwanwoma to Bekwai and Ejisu.
Amoakohene said contractors had already moved to sites for other key road projects, including the Bekwai-Santasi road, the Mankranso-Abuakwa road, the Agogo-Maame Krobo stretch and the Nsuta-Kwamang road.
He also described how the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, had supported many development efforts in the region, including facilitating the relocation of traders to allow work on the Ahodwo-Santasi road project to proceed, and funding the development of the relocation site.
The regional minister added that the Asantehene had allocated land to the government for a proposed second National Theatre, plans for which were set out in the 2026 Budget.
The government has positioned the Big Push infrastructure drive as a central plank of its economic recovery and regional development strategy.
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