President Nana Addo Dankwa -Akufo Addo, said the reconstruction of the 66-kilometre Tarkwa -Agona Nkwanta highway, was fulfillment of government’s vision to make Tarkwa a viable growth pole, to stimulate development in the mining enclaves of the Western Region.
The President, who was speaking at Tarkwa, as part of his two-day tour of the region, said “I thank you for your supports especially during the 2020 December elections, and, today. I am in my second term. We have good plans for Tarkwa. Continue to support us for we have more good programmes to uplift this municipality to become like Johannesburg, and by God’s grace we will do it. Indeed, it will surely come to pass”, he said.
The reconstruction of the highway has begun with the injection of 95 million Euros from the Deutche Bank AG, Frankfurt, Germany.
The project, being executed by the Ministry of Roads and Highways, was awarded to M/S Gabriel Cuoto -Rango Consortium, in November 9, 2020, and would be completed on August 31, 2024.
The road project when completed, would connect the mineral and agricultural areas in the Western Region, Ashanti, Western North and Central regions, to the Port of Takoradi.
The highway is the shortest route from the middle, northern part of Ghana and Burkina Faso, to Abidjan, in Cote d’lviore, through Apimanim in the Ahanta West municipality of the Western Region.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Kwasi Amoako- Atta, said “the contract sum is available. It will never stall and would continue to its completion. Indeed, the contractor is on site. The contractor has been directed to employ local contractors, who will also engage local artisans. They have been asked to speed up work and complete it on time”.
He said that the R6 project, a two-single carriageway and asphaltic would have major traffic management improvement in the Tarkwa municipality.
The minister said it would include major improvement of drainage in all towns and villages along the entire stretch, street lights, walkways and traffic signs.
“The completion of the section would end congestion along the road, especially, the drudgery at Tarkwa, the famous mining town”, Mr Amoako -Atta said.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, recalled how the Tarkwa road had generated so much emotion in the region and projected that “good things are coming to the region.”
The chief of Mahamo, Nana Kwabena Gyan 11, applauded government for the reconstruction of the Tarkwa road and believed it would bring relief to the transport industry and the communities along that stretch.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TARKWA
