Ghana government says it seeks to transform transportation sector
The Ministry of Roads and Highways says government has expanded its focus from road network construction to provision of socio-economic services to help improve livelihoods of people living along the roads.
Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, the sector Minister, told journalists on Tuesday that the move was directed at helping to achieve government’s objective of providing integrated, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transportation system in the country that is responsive to the needs of society.
He said it was also to support Ghana’s growth and poverty reduction drive and capable of positioning the country as the transportation hub of the West African sub region.
Unlike previous instances when our focus used to be primarily on the road network, the emphasis is now more on construction that takes into account the social needs of the catchment areas of road projects,” he said.
“The focus has now moved to the provision of social services such as schools, potable water, health facilities, alternative livelihood opportunities, tourism infrastructure, and markets, among others as part of the road improvement works.”
Alhaji Fuseini cited the upgrading of 147.5 kilometer Fufulso-Sawla road project designed to include provision of some ancillary works to enhance livelihoods of people within project area.
The additional works included provision of an integrated water purification plant, rehabilitation and expansion of district hospital and health centres in addition to construction of nurses’ quarters.
Others are construction of schools and teachers’ bungalows, construction of markets and lorry parks, rehabilitation of grain storage sheds as well as construction of solar powered boreholes.
“The provision of these ancillaries has contributed to poverty reduction by increasing access to markets and social services for the surrounding areas, and communities,” he said.
It has also empowered the rural poor, women and other disadvantaged groups through adequate roadside socio-economic infrastructure and services.
The Minister also cited the construction of the 110 kilometer Agona Junction to Elubo road in the Western Region which seeks to open up the country to its western neighbour – La Cote d’Ivoire – and facilitate intra and inter-regional trade.
He said the project aims at encouraging tourism activities by easing access to tourist sites such as Fort St Antonion and the Ankasa Forest Reserve.
“It is expected that the completion of all these roads [ongoing in the country] will help in the achievement of government’s objective of providing an integrated, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transportation system.”
Source: GNA