Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, the Member of Parliament for Bantama and former Minister of Roads and Highways, offered a sharp critique of President John Dramani Mahama’s State of the Nation Address, particularly emphasizing the government’s stance on the debt associated with road infrastructure.
Highlighting contradictions in infrastructure investment Mr Asenso-Boakye underscored a perceived contradiction in President Mahama’s address, noting that while the President emphasized the importance of road infrastructure for national development, he simultaneously lamented the associated debt.
Mr Asenso-Boakye argued that such investments were essential for economic growth, stating, “Debt, in itself, is not bad; it depends on how it is used.”
He cited the U.S. interstate highway programme of the 1950s as an example, where every dollar invested yielded six dollars in economic returns.
The former minister defended the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s track record, highlighting that between 2017 and 2024, the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration undertook works covering 13,624.25 kilometres of roads, compared to the 4,636 kilometres by the previous administration. He clarified that this figure encompasses construction, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and upgrading projects.
Beyond road construction, Asenso-Boakye highlighted the NPP administration’s efforts in developing interchanges and bridges to improve connectivity and safety.
He mentioned the nine completed interchanges and 13 under construction by the Akufo-Addo administration as against just five by the Mills and Mahama administration. He also noted that between 2017 and 2024, over 35 bridges were completed, with more than 50 additional bridges at various stages of construction nationwide.
Responding to President Mahama’s concerns about the proportion of poor roads in urban areas, Asenso-Boakye attributed this to rapid urbanisation and population growth. He explained that as cities expand, new access roads are created, initially in basic conditions awaiting further investment, reflecting the government’s responsiveness to growing urban populations.
Asenso-Boakye concluded by asserting that the road sector is in a better state than before, emphasizing the NPP’s commitment to infrastructure development.
He stated, “Our record in the roads sector is unmatched and unprecedented. No other government in Ghana’s history has done more.”
BY TIMES REPORTER
