Don’t abandon Accra–Kumasi dualisation for new expressway – Asenso-Boakye to Mahama

A member of Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee and MP for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has cautioned the government against halting the ongoing Accra–Kumasi dual carriageway project in favour of a proposed six-lane expressway.

He warned that such a move could violate constitutional obligations and lead to a waste of public resources.

In a letter addressed to President John Dramani Mahama, Mr. Asenso-Boakye called for a reconsideration of the new expressway plan, urging the government to instead prioritise the completion of the existing dualisation project.

“My concern is borne, not out of partisanship, but in the interest of continuity, prudence, and national development,” he stated.

“I respectfully urge you to review the current course and provide leadership that consolidates, not disrupts, the modest gains we have made as a country.”

His concerns follow recent remarks by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, who defended the decision to pursue a new six-lane expressway between Accra and Kumasi. The minister argued that the current highway, despite ongoing upgrades, runs through densely populated areas and may not meet future traffic demands.

However, Mr. Asenso-Boakye cited Article 35(7) of the 1992 Constitution, which compels successive governments to continue development projects initiated by previous administrations in the national interest. He argued that abandoning a viable, ongoing project contradicts this constitutional requirement and risks setting a poor governance precedent.

“Abandoning an ongoing project that is technically sound, economically justified, and already delivering results contradicts this constitutional directive,” he said.
“It may set a precedent of wasteful governance.”

He also responded to concerns raised by the Roads Minister regarding cost overruns and variations in the existing project, acknowledging that such issues are normal in large-scale infrastructure developments.

While supporting efforts to investigate any financial irregularities, he stressed that these should be addressed within legal and contractual boundaries rather than used as grounds to cancel the project.

“Variations and cost adjustments are common in major infrastructure works,” he explained.
“Discontinuing a critical national project based on unresolved variations not only undermines continuity but sets a troubling precedent for future infrastructure development.”

Mr. Asenso-Boakye further questioned the feasibility of the proposed new expressway, noting that no feasibility studies, design documents, or secured funding are currently in place, despite promises that work would begin next year and conclude within three years.

“In the context of Ghana’s current fiscal constraints and competing infrastructure needs nationwide, it would be far more prudent to complete the existing dualisation project than to commence a new, significantly more expensive one,” he added.