Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has disclosed that five interchanges will be constructed in the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area.

Delivering the 2022 budget in Parliament on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, he mentioned some of the areas where the interchanges will be built as Suame, Santasi and Airport Roundabout.

This follows the construction of the Pokuase, Tamale, and Obetsebi Interchanges.

"The Pokuase Interchange under the Accra Urban Transport Project which involves the construction of a 4-tier interchange, construction of 12km of selected roads, segregated walkways, footbridges, underpasses, and drainage structures were completed and commissioned on July 9, 2021," he said.

Mr. Ofori-Atta stated that other road projects to be embarked on include, "Kumasi South and Western Bypass, Kumasi Outer Ring Road, Mamfe-Koforidua Road, Oyibi-Dodowa-Somanya-Akuse Jn. Road, the Accra Outer Ring Road, Asutuare Junction-Volivo Bridge, Eastern Corridor Road (Gbintiri-Kulungugu), and the Sawla-Wa Road.

The Finance Minister touted the achievements of government in relation to provision of road infrastructure, adding that works have progressed steadily on several major road projects.

He noted for instance that as of the end of September 2021, routine maintenance had been carried out on 21,165km of the trunk road network, 6,265km of the feeder road network, and 2,937km 36 of the urban road network.

"In addition, the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) programme for the financing, construction, and management of road infrastructure have three projects at different stages of preparation: Accra-Tema Motorway PPP Project (31.7km) [the financing arrangement is completed and construction will commence in 2022], the Accra-Cape Coast-Takoradi PPP Project (208km) [the feasibility study is being finalised. The final feasibility study report will provide key inputs into the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Project]," he said.

Touching on other issues, Mr Ofori-Atta highlighted plans in place for road safety, stating that government, in 2022, will increase and maintain traffic signals.

"In addition, road safety hazard sites are also expected to be created. This will be complemented with aggressive public education and enforcement of traffic regulations," he said.