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Former Deputy Information Minister under the erstwhile Mahama administration, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has chided Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for deliberately deceiving Ghanaians in his presentation on infrastructure.

Reacting to a recently held Town Hall meeting and Results Fair of the NPP led by Dr Bawumia, Felix Kwakye Ofosu said not only did the Vice President engage in deceit, he also 'demonstrated contrived ignorance and deliberate dishonesty'.

Four Interchanges
 
Dr Bawumia, during his presentation, indicated that the ruling government is constructing four interchanges. 

“Four state of the art interchanges are also under construction: The Tema Interchange, where the loan, sod cutting and completion were executed by this government; Tamale interchange under the Sinohydro Programme, the first ever interchange in the Northern Sector of the country (44% complete and expected to be completed by the middle of 2021); Pokuase interchange (the first four tier interchange in West Africa – 75% complete."

The NDC has however refuted this claim insisting that three of those projects were commenced during their tenure.

Mr. Kwakye Ofosu who was speaking on Joy FM's News File programme, Saturday, refuted Dr Bawumia's claim saying the NPP administration "inherited three interchanges from President Mahama and that the only one that Akufo-Addo can put his name to is the Tamale interchange".

Overpriced Circle interchange

Dr Bawumia during the presentation which was centred on the infrastructural development of the ruling government also accused the ruling government of overpricing projects.

He said the cost of the Circle interchange which is $260m can be used to construct four of such projects.

The Vice President said the ongoing Tema, Pokuase and Obetsebi-Lamptey interchanges in the Greater Accra Region and that of Tamale in the Northern Region are at a total cost of “$289million” compared to the “$260million” Kwame Nkrumah interchange.

Felix Ofosu Kwakye also punched holes in this cliam.

"Dr Bawumia has a penchant for doing these things . . . what we call the Kwame Nkrumah interchange is actually two bridges called the Akasanoma and the Nsawam bridge . . . The Kwame Nkrumah interchange on its own cost 74m euros or $90m, the ringroad flyover cost $170m. So when you put the two together, you get $260m. The NPP does a lot of mischief; deliberate falsehood in order to confuse people."

According to him Dr Bawumia made a blanket statement as he didn’t provide any evidence.

"Obetsebi interchange is two flyover; the first phase cost $35m, the second phase is 87m euros which is over $100m; if you put it together you are talking in about in excess of $135m." 

Pokuase Interchange

According to the former Deputy Minister, "Dr Bawumia goes around saying that Pokuase is a four-storey interchange; a four storey interchange doesn’t necessarily make it bigger than the ringroad flyover. How is it that Pokuase is four storey yet it is only $84m and the Obetsebi-Lamptey which is going to be a three tier interchange is costing $135m" adding, "it is unfortunate for a vice president to compare projects so haphazardly and not take his time to appreciate that each project is unique to the chosen design."