Roads and Highways Minister Governs Kwame Agbodza has told residents of the Dome-Kitase area that road projects can only begin when the government has the financial resources to execute them.
Speaking during an inspection of the Kwabenya-Berekuso-Kitase road on Tuesday, September 22, the Minister said demonstrations do not provide the funding needed for road construction.
He said projects are financed through government revenue, including taxes, or through borrowing.
Mr Agbodza was responding to concerns raised by residents who had demonstrated in August over the poor condition of roads in the area.
Residents of the Berekuso-Kwabenya enclave took to the streets on August 17 to demand urgent action, saying the poor roads were affecting their businesses, vehicles, health and access to essential services.
The demonstration disrupted traffic in parts of the area as residents called for the government to address what they described as years of neglect.
Mr Agbodza acknowledged the residents’ right to protest but stressed that the decision to prioritise the road was based on its wider importance to the country.
He explained that the road serves as an important link between communities in the Greater Accra and Eastern regions and is therefore more than a local road.
The Minister also disclosed that contractors working on the Dome-Kitase Road are expected to fully return to site this week following a directive from President John Mahama.
He, however, warned the contractors against delays and a stop-start approach to the project.
Mr Agbodza said once contractors mobilise to site, they are expected to maintain full activity until the work progresses.
The Minister’s comments come as residents continue to demand improvements to roads in the area, particularly to ease transportation and improve access between communities.
