The Minister-designate for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has commended former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for quickly conceding defeat after realising the NPP had lost the 2024 general election.

“I must commend former Vice President Bawumia that despite the rhetoric that the NPP will not handover power, but quickly conceded defeat when he realised the NDC has won the December 7 Election convincingly,” he said.

Mr Kwame Agbodza was responding to a question from Mr Frank Annor-Dompreh, the NPP Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri and First Deputy Minority Chief Whip, to mention three things or policies he could commend the NPP government for.

This came to light when Mr Kwame Agbodza appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament in Accra on Monday for vetting.

The nominee also lauded the NPP government for having a good vision of education by implementing the Free Senior High School policy.

Responding to the legacy he would like to leave at the Roads Ministry upon his approval, Mr Kwame Agbodza said he would chart a way towards ensuring an efficient and viable road industry.

“I’m unhappy about the level of debt in the road sector, and so, we will find a sustainable way to pay road compensation.

“I will also do things profitably and in a timely manner and promote the vision of President Mahama at the Ministry to deliver on his mandate,” he explained.

On road sector debt left behind by the previous government, Mr Kwame Agbodza said the Akufo-Addo-led government left GHc135 billion debt in 2024.

The debt, he explained, comprised GH¢100 billion commitment to road contractors, GH¢20 billion unpaid certificates and GH¢15 billion owed road stakeholders by the Road Fund.

The Minister-designate for Roads and Highways said upon his approval, his outfit would collaborate with the Minister of Finance to find a sustainable way to offset the debt.

He averred that more funds should be expended on road maintenance rather than constructing new ones.

He expressed misgivings about the bad lighting system on the Tema Motorway and other major road networks because of the absence of streetlights and pledged to resolve those challenges upon approval.

Touching on the electronic gate (e-gate) at the Kotoka International Airport, Mr Kwame Agbodza explained that the e-gate constructed by the previous government “has no contract and Ghana ought not to have even pay one dollar,” noting, “the e-gate should have been done for free” because it was part of the National Border Management System being implemented by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority.