A/R Minister Says Only 2 Of 5 Promised Interchanges Are Assured

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah has stated that only two of the five interchanges promised by the government are assured for the region.

He pinpointed the Suame interchange as well as Santasi Interchange.

This is contrary to a promise from the government that the region will witness massive road infrastructures in its second term.

The government had promised to construct interchanges at Oforikrom, Bekwai, Ahodwo, Suame and Santasi.

hon Osei Mensah made the statement when he appeared before the members of the Regional House of Chiefs on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, when the House was having its last meeting of the year.

Justifying the selection of Suame and Santasi he said,“four roads lead to Suame Roundabout which creates congestion. We will construct the interchange and the complementary roads.

“Santasi: From Patasi to the Sofoline Interchange through to Abrepo to Suame Round-about through to Airport Roundabout to Asokwa interchange has double lanes but after the Asokwa Interchange through to Georgia to Ahodwo Roundabout to Santasi to Patasi is a single lane. So after constructing the Santasi interchange, we will expand the single lanes there into double lanes. Projects are done to solve problems.”

Touching on the Suame interchange which will be funded by AFREXIM Bank loan, he said construction works on the interchange itself will begin in January 2023 and will last for 36 months.

Meanwhile, complementary roads are in progress, he said.

“Axillary roads on Suame interchange have begun. 24 months will be used to complete them. The interchange will begin in January. In the meantime, we are creating bypasses. The interchange will be completed in 36 months.”

Justifying the delay in the construction of the interchange he said, ”we planned to fund it through Sinohydro but we were not too sure if the funds would come so we decided to find another sustainable source of funding so that the project can continue if there is a change in government.”

For the Santasi interchange, he failed to give a specific timeline for its construction.

Sounce: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini