The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza has announced that government has settled nearly $30 million in outstanding payments to contractors working on the Suame Interchange project, paving the way for construction to resume after months of delays.
Speaking to journalists during a working visit to the Ashanti Region, the minister said the project like many others across the country stalled at the end of 2024 primarily due to unpaid certificates, not because of technical or capacity challenges.
“As of the time the project halted, the contractor was owed close to $30 million. That is the main reason the work stopped,” he explained. “It was not due to design issues or lack of capacity. Contractors executed their work but were simply not paid.”
The minister emphasized the strategic importance of the Swami Interchange to Kumasi’s traffic management system, noting that the city currently channels a significant volume of traffic through a central corridor, creating congestion.
He indicated that while the interchange project is beneficial, a more comprehensive solution would involve diverting traffic away from the city center through peripheral road networks, similar to ring road systems used in major cities such as London.
Touching on broader infrastructure financing, the minister credited President John Dramani
Mahama’s administration with prioritizing the clearance of inherited debts to contractors as part of efforts to revive stalled projects nationwide.
“In the case of the Swami Interchange, about $29.5 million owed has now been fully paid,” he said.
“This has been done despite current fiscal constraints, including limited borrowing capacity and declining cocoa revenues.”
He added that the government has, in recent weeks, paid over GH¢12 billion in arrears owed to contractors, most of which were accumulated before the current administration assumed office.
The minister cited similar progress on the Kasoa road project, where an outstanding $78 million has been settled, resulting in visible resumption of work.
He criticized the previous administration for suspending projects under the pretext of investigations rather than continuing and auditing simultaneously, arguing that such delays contributed to the deterioration of key infrastructure initiatives, including the Cocoa Roads projects.
According to the minister, the government remains committed to completing all ongoing road projects and ensuring value for money through efficient economic management.
“This is what reset means to President Mahama – continuing critical projects and paying for work already done,” he said.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
