By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
President Akufo-Addo has broken the ground for the construction of a four-tier interchange at Suame in the Ashanti region.
Funds for the project have already been secured after parliamentary ratification some months ago. It would be completed by December 2024.
It is a six-in-one road facility encompassing the interchange with five overpasses.
President Akufo-Addo noted that, upon completion of the project, vehicular and human movement within the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area will be substantially eased.
The Suame roundabout, in its present form, is considered the biggest road infrastructure in the Ashanti region, connecting Kumasi to Bono East and the five regions in the north in one direction, Asante Manpong to Yeji in another, the Airport roundabout towards Accra and the Eastern region, as well as Sofoline towards the Bono and Ahafo regions, making it a very important facility.
Construction of the interchange has been a major campaign promise during almost every electioneering by the two political parties, for which the start of the construction is a big relief to commuters, including heavy-duty trucks that commute to and from Burkina Faso.
The project is being undertaken by Rango Construction Limited, a local firm in partnership with a Spanish company, Dizmar.
Components of the interchange include a roundabout at the ground level, five overpasses at Abrepo Junction, Krofrom Junction, Anomanye Junction, Magazine New Road and Abusuakruwa together with 15 kilometres of roads within the vicinity of the main facility.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei Mensah, said since 2017, the region has benefited from road projects ranging from town, feeder, urban to highways, including asphalting.
The Member of Parliament for Suame, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, who is also the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader in Parliament, refuted accusations that his long years as the legislative representative of the people has not inured to the benefit of the constituency.
He described the construction of the interchange as a big relief not only to his constituents but the many motorists and commuters who use the stretch.
The Minister for Highways, Mr. Akwasi Amoako Atta, assured that the interchange will be completed before President Akufo-Addo’s tenure as President ends.
Mr. Amoako Atta entreated the contractors to prioritise the safety and convenience of their workers, motorists, and residents, while asking for the cooperation of the people with the contractors to ensure the project is completed on schedule.
President Akufo-Addo disclosed that the Suame Interchange, which is a six-in-one and the first of such road projects to be the most beautiful in the country, is a fulfilment of his campaign promise to the people of Ashanti.
