Sampa, a lively town in the Bono Region, represents the struggles of many rural communities across Ghana – poor roads and unreliable internet connectivity.

The leader of the Afrafranto Movement and presidential candidate, Alan Kyerematen, during his campaign tour, witnessed the true extent of Ghana’s crumbling road infrastructure.

Reflecting on his experience, Mr Kyeremateng shared, “Travelling on the roads in Sampa, I couldn’t help but recall the numerous bad roads I’ve encountered across the country. It’s heartbreaking to see how we’ve allowed parts of our nation to fall into such neglect.”

According to Mr Kyerematen, his Great Transformational Plan (GTP) offers an innovative solution to this crisis. “We cannot continue to rely solely on borrowing to finance infrastructure. At this rate, we will never catch up,” he stated, calling for a shift towards alternative financing and greater private-sector involvement in addressing the country’s infrastructure needs.

Ghana is facing a serious infrastructure challenge. With over 94,203 kilometres of roads, the country needs $12 billion to fix maintenance backlogs and improve road conditions.

However, the government is only able to contribute 38% of the required funding, leaving most roads in a state of disrepair. This funding gap has severely hampered development, especially in rural areas, and deepened inequality.

Alan’s vision for Ghana’s road sector includes a stronger role for the private sector. He proposes ownership models such as Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPCF), which would allow private companies to finance, build, and manage road projects more effectively.

A reformed road tolling system would ensure that investors receive fair returns while guaranteeing high-quality highways and trunk roads.

To support local contractors, Alan’s plan includes medium-to-long-term financing for two contractors in every district. This would enable them to acquire the equipment needed for urban and feeder road maintenance, create jobs, and ensure sustainable infrastructure development.

Furthermore, Alan proposes issuing infrastructure bonds with attractive yields to fund high-income-generating projects, while the Ghana Road Fund would be used exclusively for maintaining non-viable roads in rural areas.

Alan also stressed the need to address Ghana’s internet infrastructure challenges. “Communities like Sampa suffer from weak and unreliable connectivity, which affects businesses, students, and government services,” he said. His plan includes establishing 100,000 internet hotspots nationwide, providing uninterrupted satellite connectivity and ensuring equitable access for all.

A key aspect of Mr Kyerematen’s plan is ensuring balanced development between rural and urban areas. His proposal includes partnerships with foreign entities to build local capacity for infrastructure delivery and support for research institutions to develop cost-effective, innovative solutions using locally sourced materials.

The impact of these policies, Mr. Kyerematen believes, would be transformative. Improved roads and reliable internet would allow farmers to transport goods more efficiently, students to access uninterrupted online education, and businesses to operate in a seamless digital environment.

Alan Kyerematen’s Great transformational plan offers a comprehensive and sustainable solution to Ghana’s infrastructure crisis. His call for collaboration between the government and private sector marks a decisive shift away from relying on borrowing.

“We must act decisively to ensure no part of Ghana is left behind., my plan provides the roadmap to a future where all citizens can benefit from world-class infrastructure,” he affirmed.

As Alan continues his campaign, his commitment to bridging Ghana’s infrastructure gap resonates with communities longing for change. With his leadership, the dream of better roads and reliable connectivity may finally become a reality.