“I was left with a Bankrupt Economy” – Nana Addo

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed that his administration has set aside, for 2018 alone, an amount of GH¢500 million to construct new roads, as well as give a facelift to some existing roads in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking at the Akwasidae celebrations, on Sunday, 12th August, 2018, at the Manhyia Palace, President Akufo-Addo noted that, despite the “unprecedented infrastructural development” touted by the predecessor government, the consistent cry of the Ghanaian people, everywhere he has been since becoming President, has been about the poor nature of their roads.

“So where is this unprecedented infrastructural development that was touted by my predecessor? The roads in Ghana’s second biggest city, Kumasi, are nothing to write home about, even though much of the country’s revenues and resources come from the Ashanti Region,” the President bemoaned.

He continued, “I was left with a bankrupt economy, but with hard work and discipline, we have been able to find money. So, this year, GH¢500 million has been devoted to the roads in Ashanti. This comprehensive plan for roads, i.e. the Kumasi Roads Facelift Project, has already been approved by Cabinet, and will result in the facelift of Kumasi roads, as well as the development of roads in Ashanti.”

The President noted that his administration cannot fix all roads in the Region, and, indeed, in the entire country at a go, but assured that before he leaves office, the vast majority of roads in the country would have been fixed.

Government’s focus on infrastructure, he said, is not only about the development of the country’s road network, stressing that railway infrastructure is also critical to the country’s needs.

“Over the years, we have not maintained our railway sector. However, in my time, the railway sector is undergoing massive rehabilitation. Shortly, the Minister for Railways Development, Hon. Joe Ghartey, will roll-out the comprehensive plan my Government has for the redevelopment of our country’s railway sector,” he added

President Akufo-Addo assured that “Kumasi is going to be at the heart, and will be a central hub of the whole railway infrastructure of our country. This will ensure easy access from Kumasi to Nyinahini, and to all the key natural resource areas in Asanteman.”

He, thus, appealed to Otumfuo Osei Tutu and all the Chiefs of the Ashanti Region to support the programmes and policies put in place by his Government, and also help educate their subjects about the importance of these measures, and they being the surest route to progress and prosperity.

“There will be those who will always want to obstruct progress, and put obstacles in my way and in the way of my government. But, I can assure them that it will not work. These programmes, when implemented, will bring development to Ghana and, indeed, to Asanteman,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo also paid tribute to the work undertaken by the Asantehene in bringing most chieftaincy disputes in the region to an end.

“Together, let us all help to resolve all the remaining disputes. Chieftaincy disputes are a drain on government’s resources, and, if anyone understands what I am saying better, it is you, Otumfuo.”

“My wish is that, when the story of our country’s history is being told, it should be said that it was during the time of two friends, Otumfuo Osei Tutu and President Akufo-Addo, that Ghana and Asanteman were put on the path of progress and prosperity,” he added.