The Member of Parliament for Bantama and former Minister for Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has called for the development of a National Highway Master Plan to guide the long-term development of Ghana’s road infrastructure.

He made the call on Monday, 16th March 2026, when he addressed the gathering at the official commissioning of the Asenso-Boakye Infrastructure Research Hub at the Department of Planning of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

According to him, Ghana’s infrastructure development must be guided by long-term national planning rather than short-term political cycles, noting that frequent changes in priorities between governments often disrupt major infrastructure projects.

“Across our country, we have seen situations where major highway projects begin under one administration but stall or are abandoned under another, often not because they are unnecessary, but because priorities shift with political transitions,” he said.

He stressed that a National Highway Master Plan would provide a clear strategic framework for the development of Ghana’s major highway corridors and ensure continuity in infrastructure development regardless of which government is in power.

“Such a master plan would allow successive governments to build upon one another’s work rather than restart the national conversation every four or eight years,” he noted.

The Bantama MP further disclosed that during the Korea–Africa Infrastructure Summit in June 2024, he engaged officials of the Korea Expressway Corporation, who expressed interest in supporting Ghana in the development of such a long-term highway development framework.

He explained that the proposed plan would offer a technically grounded roadmap for the systematic expansion and modernization of Ghana’s highway network, improving efficiency, connectivity, and long-term economic growth.

Speaking about the newly commissioned Asenso-Boakye Infrastructure Research Hub, the former Roads Minister said the facility was established to help bridge the gap between academic research, policy development, and infrastructure implementation in Ghana.

The hub, a collaboration between the Department of Planning at KNUST and the Bantama Asenso-Boakye Foundation, will focus on research in areas including transport systems, housing, water and sanitation, energy infrastructure, digital connectivity, and climate-resilient development planning.

Mr Asenso-Boakye noted that infrastructure development goes beyond roads and buildings and must include the energy, communication, and digital systems that power modern economies.

He expressed optimism that the research centre would grow into a regional centre of excellence for infrastructure research and policy innovation, helping Ghana develop smarter and more resilient infrastructure systems.

“The future of Ghana will not be built by concrete alone. It will be built by ideas, innovation, and integrated infrastructure systems that connect our people and power our economy,” he stated.

Delivering the keynote address, the Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, Akyamfour Asafo Boakye Agyemang-Bonsu, commended Asenso-Boakye for his sustained commitment to advancing planning education and research at the university.

He described the establishment of the research hub as a significant contribution that would enhance the university’s capacity to undertake policy-relevant research and provide practical solutions to Ghana’s growing urban and infrastructure challenges.

In a similar vein, the Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, commended Hon. Asenso-Boakye for the worthy initiative and emphasised the need for policymakers to champion similar efforts.

He noted that many developed countries began their transformation through such research-driven initiatives that later shaped their national development plans, and encouraged stakeholders to support initiatives that strengthen the link between research and national development.

The Asenso-Boakye Infrastructure Research Hub is expected to serve as a centre for interdisciplinary research and innovation, supporting students, faculty and development practitioners in developing sustainable solutions to Ghana’s infrastructure and urban development needs.

During a tour of the newly established Infrastructure Research Hub with faculty members and other dignitaries, a number of ideas and recommendations were shared on how the facility could further strengthen research and training in infrastructure development.

Among the proposals discussed was the possibility of the Department of Planning introducing, going forward, a specialised programme in Infrastructure Research to deepen academic work in the field.