President J.A. Kufuor on Saturday cut the sod for the reconstruction of the 27.5 billion-cedi 6.5 kilometre Nkawkaw-Obomeng road. The project when completed would provide a second link between Nkawkaw and the rest of the Kwahu communities on the Kwahu Ridge and beyond. The road which would be financed by the government through the Road Fund, is expected to be completed within one and half years, and would be constructed by Top International Engineering Ghana Limited, a Chinese construction company. Addressing Chiefs and people from the area, President Kufuor said the road, which has been out of use for the past decade, would reduce travelling time from the Kwahu Ridge to the Afram Plains. He said there was the need to open up the Afram Plains since it would soon become the breadbasket of the country with the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Accounts. President Kufuor said with the support of the nation's development partners, a transportation programme has been formulated under which the government expected to achieve a particular target in road infrastructure each year. President Kufour observed that, the Kwahu area has been a major beneficiary of trunk and feeder roads projects under the government and added that work on the Mpraeso-Kwahu and Tafo-Adawso road projects as well as the Abetifi-Abene, Nkawkaw-Mpreaso and the Abetifi Town roads are progressing steadily with some even completed. He also noted that the Anyinam-Nkawkaw road and the 15-kilometre Nkawkaw by-pass are being constructed. President Kufuor commended the chiefs and people of the area for their support and co-operation with government in its developmental agenda and urged them to sustain their self-reliant and industrious spirit, which he said has enhanced development in the Kwahu communities. The Deputy Minister of Transportation, Mr. Magnus Opare Asamoah said the ridge roads would be expanded six metres wide on the ascending and eight metres after descending. The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah said the construction of the Nkawkaw-Obomeng projects is very dear to the heart of the government and the entire citizenry of Kwahu in view of its socio-economic importance to the area. He said with the reconstruction of the Mpraeso-Adawso road as well as the Ekye-Amanfrom-Donkorkrom roads, which were nearing completion, transportation of goods and services within the three districts of Kwahu West, South and North would be greatly enhanced. Other Ministers in the President's entourage included Paapa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Minister of State in-charge of Chieftaincy Affairs and the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ms. Sussana Mensah. Source: GNA