GH¢7.4m World Bank funded projects begin in Agona Swedru

A sod-cutting ceremony has been held for the construction of three road projects and the paving of some landmark areas in Agona Swedru in the Central Region.

The three projects fall under the Urban Development Grant Project, which is subject to the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP) and includes the construction and bitumen-surfacing of the 2.5-kilometre Mahodwe area roads (comprising the Mahodwe Link, the Osama Station Street, the Nana Donkor Street, the Nana Duodu Street, the Esukontin Street and the Egya Ebusua Street) and Otabilkrom roads.

The other works cover the paving of the forecourt of the Swedru Town Hall and the Swedru Taxi Rank, which become muddy anytime there is a downpour.

The World Bank is funding the projects at GH¢7.4 million and they are expected to be completed within a year. They are to be executed by three contractors.

Good roads key

Addressing the ceremony in Agona Swedru last Wednesday, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Agona West, Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, said good roads played a critical role in the socio-economic development of nations.

“It is for this reason that the government, through the municipal assembly, is committed to improving road networks in the municipality,” she said.

She said the construction of roads in Swedru would give meaning to the ‘Year of Roads’ proclamation by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, aimed at improving roads across the country this year.

“Already, Swedru has had its share of road development, as roads in Swedru have been asphalted, in addition to the surface dressing of portions of the Swedru-Akyem Oda main road, all directed at enhancing vehicular movement,” she said.

She charged the contractors to adhere strictly to the timelines and ensure that the projects were completed within the stipulated period.

Lack of access roads

Agona Swedru, the capital of the Agona West Municipality and major commercial town, is faced with the challenge of unmotorable roads. Apart from a few major streets that were constructed many years ago and still have tarred surfaces, many of the access roads in the town are dotted with potholes.

As a result, there is constant gridlock in the central business area of the town, making motorists and commuters spend a lot of time in traffic.

Akora River drainage project

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Agona West, Mrs Cynthia Morrison, commended the government for its decision to improve roads in the town to meet its status as the capital of the Agona West municipality.

She disclosed that the Swedru Akora drainage project which had stalled had been re-awarded to another contractor, and that work on it would soon resume.

“As part of that project, three new footbridges will be constructed across the Akora River to link Mahodwe and Sabon Zongo, Desuenim and Old Sawmill and Desuenim and the Pentecost Convention Centre,” she said.

Funds available

The Central Regional Coordinating Director, Mr Kingsley Agyei Boahene, said funds for the projects were ready and gave an assurance that the RCC would monitor the projects to ensure there was value for money.

Background

The GSCSP is a five-year programme whose implementation was begun in 2019 and is being implemented in 25 municipalities nationwide.

Three municipalities in the Central Region were selected as beneficiaries — Awutu Senya East, Agona West and Mfantseman.

The programme is aimed at developing and creating additional cities in an effort to decongest the major cities in the country.