The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Patrick Banor, is leading the Ahafo Kenyasi Development Association to prevail on Newmont Ghana Gold Limited to help complete the rehabilitation of the Hwidiem-Kenyasi road in the Ahafo region.

Motorists and residents have bemoaned the current state of the road, saying its completion will ease the transportation challenges in the corridor.

Newmont Gold had an agreement with the government to construct the 8.2 kilometre road as part of its corporate social responsibility projects.

A contract was awarded to Kofi Job Construction at an initial cost of GHS 70.3 million, which was re-evaluated to GHS 95.4 million.

But the cost of construction has had to be reviewed further upward, attributed to inflationary and exchange rate factors. This has led to stalled project execution, as Newmont is yet to release the additional funding to the contractors. 

According to the Ghana Highways Authority, outstanding work to complete the road is 2.9 kilometres and access roads totaling 1.83 kilometres.

“The cost to complete the road is estimated at GHS 35,574,346.46. This amount includes an estimated GHS 13,940,839.81for exchange rate losses,” said a letter by the GHA explaining the stalled construction.

Acting President of the Ahafo Kenyasi Development Association, Nana Kwasi Agyemang, has commended Newmont Gold for investing GHS 95.5 million into the road construction.

He pleaded with the company to help ensure the contractor returns to site.

The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Patrick Banor, is taking up the matter with Newmont and the contractor to resolve any contractual and financial issues on the project.