No Funds To Rehabilitate Roads - Minister

The Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Isaac Adjei Mensah, has disclosed that the lack of adequate and sustainable funding mechanism has contributed immensely to the challenges currently facing the road sector.

He said the Ghana Road Fund, which serves as the main vehicle in driving the maintenance of roads in the country, is owed some GH¢230.86 million by government, making its operations difficult.  

Speaking at a forum organised by the management of the Ghana Road Fund, in collaboration with the Ministry of Roads and Highways in Takoradi, the Deputy Minister said about 40% of road networks in the country were currently not being attended to annually due to lack of funds.

Under the circumstance, he hinted that the Mahama administration was considering the adoption of public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement in funding road maintenance.

The PPP partnership, he said, could be more responsive to the rehabilitation of deplorable roads in the country if it is actualised.

He said the government would adopt a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement with private corporate entities in order to fast-track road maintenance and accelerate national development.

On his part, Mr Francis Dogbey, acting Chief Director of the Ghana Highway Authority, said good road networks would significantly reduce the cost of vehicle operations in the country.

“When we have good road networks, the cost of vehicle operation will reduce three times and that will ensure efficiency and mobility of both human and vehicular traffic,” he underscored.

Consequently, he appealed to utility companies to desist from cutting through roads to lay their cables underground.

According to him, the practice has often reduced the lifespan and conditions of roads in the country.

The acting Regional Road Maintenance Engineer, Mr John Owusu Duah, on his part, outlined some of the major roads that were being currently rehabilitated.

These, he said, included the Tarkwa Government Hospital road, Shama town roads, Sankor/Cape Three Points road, Bodi town roads, Sekondi/Takoradi arterial roads and the Benchema/Osei-Kojokrom road.

He added that there were other routine maintenance of some feeder roads in some districts in the region, including Jomoro, Ellembelle, Mpohor and Wassa Amenfi.

Some of the participants urged government to open up the country by investing in important roads to connect important communities, towns and cities.