Residents around the Sokode Lokoe area are excited about the new asphalt roads to be constructed by First Sky Group (FSG).

Owned by Seddy Kutortsey, FSG is expected to complete all roadworks in 24 months, making commute by road easier for residents especially those situated around the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).

The 5.2 Kilometer asphalted dual carriage road which costs GHC66.4million is a government-funded project that runs from Sokode Etoe through the University and then joins the Ho-Aflao highway at Titrinu. 

The nature of the road has been a major source of concern to residents for decades especially during the rainy season when the roads become unmotorable for road users especially students and residents who farm along the way.

The road when completed will bring great relief to residents of Ho and Sokode as well as students and other travellers connecting from Aflao to Accra and Accra to Aflao instead of having to go through the Ho main town.

Besides providing employment to the locals in the community, the road will also open local economic activities in the area. In addition, residents will also have the opportunity to engage in various income-generating businesses.

“So in 24 months our area would be like the city and business would be great because we will have the opportunity to do all kinds of profitable activities and travelling would be easier and enjoyable,” said one of the resident happily.

Some of the students of UHAS said the new road will help non-resident students commute to campus easier than before, as taxi fares to the school will be reduced due to the improved quality of the road.

"Now we can have easy access to campus at any given time without worrying about huge taxi fares especially during examination time and in the evenings when we miss the school bus," a student said.

The chairman and founder of the First Sky Group, Mr Eric Seddy Kutortsey noted that the road when completed would open up the area to economic development which means that residents are given the opportunity to engage in different profitable activities that would help improve their livelihood.

“There would be job opportunities for everyone especially the youths during and after the construction and the area would become a great economic hub" Mr Kutortsey said.

Mr Kutortsey assured that his company is determined to complete construction of the road before the scheduled time, adding that it will be of the highest quality.

The Roads and Highways Minister, Mr Kwesi Amoako Attah who commended the First Sky Group for exceptional works done on previous contracts said government is committed to making sure that the President's vision of constructing roads in every region is achieved.

Mr Kwesi Amoako Attah noted that government has prioritised road construction on their agenda because roads open the nation up to development and economic growth.

"The President’s declaration of year of roads is still on course and it is through roads that a nation is opened up for development," Mr Attah said.

Mr Kwesi Amoako Attah noted that 30 projects are ongoing simultaneously in the Volta Region which includes the well known Eastern Corridor roads. 

The Vice-Chancellor for UHAS, Professor John Gyapong noted that the road which is the primary access road to the Ho Township would be a lifeline in the efficient pursuit of their mandate as an institution focused on community service and care.

Prof Gyapong noted that since the University became a Covid-19 testing centre, the main challenge has been the unmotorable condition of the road making it difficult for vehicles to bring in the samples from the health facilities in the community for testing.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo on Tuesday, September 1 cut sod for the construction of a 5.2km asphalt dual carriage carriageway.

The carriageway, according to the First Sky Group will have two roundabouts, drains and walkways on both sides as well as bus stops.