In a charged parliamentary debate on the approval of three ministerial nominees, former Roads and Highways Minister Francis Asenso-Boakye robustly defended the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) achievements in road infrastructure.
The nominees under consideration included Hon. Governs Kwame Agbodza, designated as Minister for Roads and Highways; Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, nominated for Minister of Education; and Hon. Eric Opoku, nominated for Minister of Agriculture.
During the session, Asenso-Boakye directly refuted claims by Hon. Agbodza, who had stated during his vetting that only 673 kilometers of new roads had been constructed since the NPP assumed office in 2017. Asenso-Boakye dismissed the figure as incomplete and misleading, arguing that it failed to account for the administration’s comprehensive efforts in road infrastructure.
“Mr. Speaker, the total road network developed by the Akufo-Addo administration from 2017 to June 2024 stands at 13,624 kilometers,” Asenso-Boakye declared, providing a detailed breakdown:
- New Construction: 673.27 km
- Asphalt Overlay: 1,955.25 km
- Gravelling/Regravelling: 6,185.90 km
- Rehabilitation: 1,665.07 km
- Upgrading/Surfacing: 2,538.40 km
- Resealing: 101.02 km
- Partial Reconstruction: 231.90 km
- Bridges Constructed: 35
He emphasized that Agbodza’s figure only reflected new road construction, ignoring significant work in rehabilitation, upgrading, and maintenance, which have transformed previously unusable roads into functional assets for communities nationwide.
To illustrate, Asenso-Boakye pointed to the ongoing rehabilitation and upgrading of the Ofankor-Nsawam road, highlighting its impact on improving usability and reducing travel time. “Agbodza selectively emphasized one component to suit his narrative, but the facts tell a different story,” he asserted.
Beyond the technical discussions, Asenso-Boakye reflected on his personal history with Agbodza, recalling their days as student leaders at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
“Kwame and I share a rich history as student leaders at KNUST. Over the years, I’ve admired his dedication and expertise in public service. I have no doubt he will excel if approved as Roads and Highways Minister,” he remarked.
Despite their disagreements, Asenso-Boakye commended elements of Agbodza’s vision, such as prioritizing road maintenance, uncapping the Road Fund, and completing critical unfinished projects. He noted that these align with many of the NPP’s road sector policies.
Asenso-Boakye’s defense of the NPP’s road achievements underscored the administration’s commitment to addressing Ghana’s infrastructure challenges while fostering bipartisan collaboration for the nation’s development.
