Gov’t pledges to rehabilitate cocoa roads

Government says it will collaborate with the Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) to identify and rehabilitate all the major cocoa roads in the country’s hinterlands to help motivate farmers.

Mr. Kwasi Amoako-Atta, Minister Designate for Roads and Highways, speaking to the Appointments Committee of Parliament said: “I think in my view, cocoa is generally produced in the rural areas so concentrating on cocoa roads in the rural areas is a way of showing appreciation and giving back to our cocoa farmers.

 I think we should make our farmers happy because they have been toiling for this nation for too long. This can be likened to some cocoa scholarships given to children and students of cocoa farmers.”

Ex-President John Mahama, in 2015, committed about US$750 million over a five-year period, through the Ghana Cocoa Board, to construct roads in cocoa growing areas.

Beneficiary regions include: Eastern, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Volta and Western, where the crop is largely grown.

The Minister Designate assured that all the road projects commenced by the previous government will be continued to the benefit of the citizenry.

“It was taxpayers’ money that was used for the projects, which should not be wasted. Any project started under the previous administration must be continued to benefit the people of this country. 

Unless there are good reasons, there is no reason why on-going projects should be discontinued,” he said. 

Mr. Amoako-Atta indicated that government will push for the automation of all toll booths in the country to ensure accountability for revenues collected.

 

“We have 35 toll booths nationwide and out of this it is only four that are automated--Ngleshie Amanfrom, Accra Plaza, Tema Plaza and the Amasaman booth. What I will do to improve on the toll collection is to improve on the automation of many of them as possible. I will ensure that those that can be automated will be automated to improve toll collection.

Government will improve feeder road aspects of the total road network. If we use that fund properly, we will be able to put a lot of these feeder roads into good shape, obviously for economic development… by bringing foodstuff and other cash crops that are locked up in the hinterlands.”

Road sector debt

Mr. Amoako-Atta revealed that the road arrears of the Ghana Highways Authority, Feeder Roads and Urban Roads as of December 31, 2016 stood at GH¢17 billion.

Out of the arrears, a certificate for GH¢900 million has already been presented to the Ministry of Finance. 

He said the arrears were “frightening,” in view of the fact that the Road Fund was able to generate only GH¢1.2 billion per annum, a development which had left a huge funding gap.

“In view of the huge indebtedness and revenue accrued to the Road Fund, there is the need for the government to take innovative means to raise funds to support the road sector,” Mr Amoako-Attah remarked.