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I’ve built more roads under my administration than Mills/Mahama combined – Akufo-Addo
The President of the Republic, Nana Akufo-Addo, has stated that his administration has constructed more roads than the combined road infrastructure achievements of the Mills/Mahama era.
He made these remarks when speaking at the sod-cutting event for the Anwiankwanta-Ahenema Kokoben Road dualization on Monday, July 15, 2024.
President Akufo-Addo at the ceremony highlighted the scale of road infrastructure under his Presidency.
He said, “We have completed 12,830 kilometres of roads since 2017, a stark contrast to the 4,636 kilometres achieved from 2009 to 2016.”
He further highlighted the extensive roadworks including asphalt overlays, new constructions, bridges, and ongoing interchange projects.
“The progress made sets a high standard and serves as a blueprint for what can be achieved with dedication and strategic planning. Successive governments must ensure sustained investment in infrastructure to address the road deficit and meet the evolving needs of our rapidly growing population,” the president said.
Nana Addo Dankwa detailed the various types of roadworks undertaken in the Ashanti Region, which include asphalt overlays, new constructions, graveling/re-graveling, reconstructions, rehabilitations, and the construction of two bridges at Susanso-Anloga and Kokoso-Bohyen.
The President also assured that contractors working on the Suame interchange project will complete the first phase by the end of 2024.
He revealed that work has also started on the main interchange project.
Against this backdrop, he assured of his government’s commitment to the timely completion of the entire project. This follows persistent complaints by motorists on the stretch.
“The Akufo-Addo government remains focused on its commitment to dualising roads in densely populated areas along our major corridors. A key initiative to demonstrate our dedication to decongesting these vital regions,” he said.
The strategic projects we’re initiating such as the dualisation of the Ofankor-Nsawam road, and the Adenta road, are not merely infrastructure projects, it’s also a confirmation of the government’s approach to solving real-life challenges.
President Akuffo-Addo added, “Government is committed to replicate such successful initiatives along other corridors of the region such as Suame Roundabout to Tafo-Pankrono…Another important project in the region is the construction of the Suame Interchange, the project is progressing steadily.”
“The overpass on the Offinso road, Anomangye-Magazine road, Abusuakurowa, as well as 15 kilometres of the road around Suame roundabout are some 40% complete. It is programmed that these overpasses will be successfully completed before the end of this year,” he said.
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Youth urged to take proactive stance on ozone depletion
•Mr Joseph Amankwah, first counting from, some officials from EPA and UNDP in group picture with the student
Mr Joseph Amankwah, the Director of Ozone Layer and Climate Change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged the youth to take a proactive stance on issues related to ozone depletion, emphasising that their future would be most affected by its consequences.
Speaking during a student engagement event at the Ghana Secondary School (GHANASS) in Koforidua, he highlighted the critical role young people played in tackling climate-related challenges.
Mr Amankwah explained that human activities, such as the use of certain chemicals, were significantly contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and driving climate change.
He said it was important to educate the youth on these issues, encouraging them to share this knowledge with their families to foster a broader understanding and active participation in climate action.
He urged the education sector to integrate lessons on the ozone layer, the causes of its depletion, and its links to climate change into the curriculum.
The event, organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was designed to foster environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility among young people.
Mr Amankwah noted that ozone layer depletion was affecting everyone, including children, as it alters weather patterns and threatens the natural environment.
He highlighted the need for young people to develop ‘green skills’ to adapt to the challenges of climate change and to understand ways to combat it.
He added that World Ozone Day, observed every September, would focus on youth engagement in environmental issues, to help them understand the long-term consequences of ozone depletion and climate change.
Mr Amankwah also discussed the harmful impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a major chemical contributor to ozone depletion.
He explained that household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners were common sources of CFC emissions in Ghana.
Many uncertified technicians work on these appliances, often releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere due to improper handling, he noted.
To address this, he urged appliance repairers to obtain proper certification and training, emphasising that unqualified repairs not only harm the environment but also endangered public health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman,
Koforidua
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Small-scale miners schooled on health hazards of mining with mercury
Mr Lovelace Sarpong (right) addressing the participants
Some Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in the Ashanti and Central regions have been sensitised on the potential health dangers humans are exposed to with the use of mercury in gold processing.
The sensitisation which was organised by PlanetGOLD Ghana project was to raise awareness about the negative impacts on the use of mercury in mining activities.
According to the PlanetGOLD Ghana Project Coordinator, Mr Lovelace Sarpong, the use of mercury in artisanal small-scale mining pose health challenges that affects the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys; and may be fatal.
Some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that benefited from the exercise were Amansie Central, Asante Akim North, Amansie South, Amansie West, Bekwai, and Adansi North in the Ashanti Region, and Upper Denkyira East (Dunkwa-on-Offin) and Upper Denkyira West (Diaso) in the Central Region.
Additionally, he said inorganic salts of mercury were corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
He stated that the PlanetGOLD Project has conducted several initiatives to raise awareness on reducing mercury exposure among artisanal and small-scale gold mining actors in the country.
It was to promote mercury-free mining practices in line with Ghana’s obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, support the formalisation of the ASGM sector while advocating the adoption of the CRAFT Code and responsible supply chains, and raise awareness on the availability of mercury-free alternatives.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Area Head for Konongo, Mr Dawood Abbas, underscored the importance of government’s environmental regulations and EPA’s role in ensuring compliance within the ASGM sector.
He encouraged miners to prioritise environmental stewardship to gain community trust and secure a Social License to Operate (SLO) and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to enforce its commitments under the Minamata Convention.
BY Cecilia Lagba Yada
