President Nana Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, 18th October, 2022, cut sod for the start of construction of a 4-tier interchange at Suame, in fulfilment of a pledge he made during his tour of the Ashanti Region last year.

According to President Akufo-Addo, “the Suame Interchange will be the first 4-tier interchange in the Ashanti Region, and the second in Ghana, after the Pokuase Interchange which I commissioned on 9th July 2021.”

He stated that once completed, it will address the perennial congestion experienced around the Suame Roundabout, and improve urban mobility within the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area.

Addressing the gathering, the President indicated that the Suame Interchange will consist of a 4-tier Interchange at the current Suame Roundabout; an overpass at the Abrepo Junction; an overpass at Krofuom Junction; an overpass at Anomangye Junction; an overpass at Magazine New Road Junction; and an overpass at Abusuakruwa Junction.

The construction of the Suame Interchange will be undertaken by M/S Grupo Dizmar of Spain and Rango Construction Ltd, a Ghanaian Company. The complementary road component will be undertaken wholly by the Ghanaian firm, Rango Construction Company Ltd, with the supervision of the entire project being the responsibility of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, through the Department of Urban Roads.

President Akufo-Addo charged the contractors and the Ministry of Roads and Highways to help ensure the country gets value for money, as well as ensure strict adherence to completion dates.

Ashanti Region Roads
Apart from the Suame Interchange, the President indicated that Government is tackling critical road projects throughout the country in a holistic manner so that every part of Ghana gets quality, all-weather roads.

“In the Ashanti Region alone, the Akufo-Addo Government has completed asphalt overlay of 295kms of roads since 2017. Some of the beneficiary areas include Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, that is in Subin Nhyiaeso and Bantama, Asokwa, Oforikrom, Kwadaso, Suame, Old Tafo, Asokore Mampong, Bekwai, Obuasi, Ejisu, Juaben, Sekyere East (Effiduase), Asante Mampong and Atwima Nwabiagya South,” he said.

Again, President Akufo-Addo stated that Government has completed the construction of 100 kilometres of local roads in Kumasi, which was undertaken by M/S Contracta, with the beneficiary assemblies being Kumasi Metropolitan, Asokwa, Kwadaso, Oforikrom. Suame and Tafo Pakrono.

In addition to the 100kms of local roads, the Department of Urban Roads has completed another 75kms of town roads in Ashanti, including Bekwai Town roads, Kwamo Town Roads, Manhyia Roads (Buokrom) and Ejisu/Kwaso Town Roads.

“The Department of Feeder Roads has also completed the upgrading of 68kms of selected feeder roads in the Ashanti and Western Regions, a project which was undertaken by M/S Sinohydro Corporation,” he stated.

President Akufo-Addo noted that, in addition to the completed ones, work is ongoing on the Kumasi Roads and Drainage Extension Project, which is 97% completed.

The works involved in this project, he said, include the upgrading of Lake Road into a dual carriageway from the CocaCola Bottling Plant to Dompoase (3.5km), and the lining of the Sissai Stream for 2km.

“The construction of a modern terminal at Dompoase, which is part of the project, has been completed and commissioned. It is expected that the entire project would be completed and commissioned by the end of the year. The works are being undertaken by M/S China Henan International Corporation- CHICO and funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) of France,” he said.

The Construction of the Kumasi Inner City Roads, which involves the rehabilitation of another 100kms of local roads in Kumasi by M/S Sino Hydro Ltd is ongoing, together with the emergency rehabilitation of the 12km Atimatim-Maase-Aboabogya road.

Additionally, there is an upgrading of the 49km Asankare-Krofa-Juansa Road and Krofa-Brantuokrom-Magyeda road, as well the upgrading of 40.3-kilometre Amantema Junction-Wiawso-Senkye Road, and the reconstruction of the 30km Anwiankwanta-Obuasi Road, which is ninety percent (90%) complete and will be completed by the end of 2022.

President Akufo-Addo noted that the upgrading of the 31km Dechemuoso area roads and asphaltic overlay of Hill Top Roads, which is 57% complete is also ongoing, together with the upgrading of the 8.7 kilometre Kwapia-Wioso Feeder Road, which stands, currently, at 52% complete.