Gov’t earmarks GH¢1.9bn for asphalt overlays

The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, has stated that the government has earmarked GH¢1.92bn from now to 2024 to undertake 1,500 kilometres of asphalt overlays in major towns and cities.

Ghana, the Minister said, has a road network spanning 78,000 kilometres, with only 23 percent paved.

Research shows that overlays improve ride quality, reduce noise levels, and reduce the full life cycle costs of road surfaces.

Once an asphalt surface ages, it is likely to become cracked and unstable. An asphalt overlay restores the surface’s ability to handle heavy traffic on its smooth, sealed surface.

Taking his turn at the weekly Minister’s Press Briefing on Sunday, and speaking on the topic “Improving Ghana’s Road Network”, Mr. Amoako-Attah said from 2017 to May 2021, 1,301km of asphalt overlays were constructed, but the vision now is to increase it to 1,500km between now till the end of the second term of the New Patriotic Party administration.

He also indicated that the construction of town roads is on course, with a total of 88 lots pencilled to be carried out at a cost of GH₵1bn. Already, some town roads at Gambaga, Nalerugu and Walewale have been completed, with others ongoing across the country.

Under the US$2bn Sinohydro facility, 10 lots of 441km at a cost of US$500m have been programmed for construction, the Minister revealed.

On the construction of interchanges, he said 25 have been programmed but 20 are expected to be done.

He also disclosed that in the last four years, GH¢10bn have been paid to contractors by the government.