Akufo-Addo launches DRIP

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August 3, 2024
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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has launched the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), a nationwide initiative aimed at improving road conditions in all 275 constituencies. The initiative was led by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development.

At the Independence Square, President Akufo-Addo commissioned 2,240 units of state-of-the-art road equipment, marking a major boost to the country’s road infrastructure.

The equipment includes a diverse fleet of trucks and machinery, such as water tankers, backhoes, motor graders, rollers, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, and bulldozers.

He emphasised government’s commitment to decentralizing development, and transforming road networks across Ghana, while acknowledging the progress made and the need for further improvements.

The equipment, distributed to all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), is a result of Ghana-China collaboration. President Akufo-Addo thanked China for its partnership, aiming to improve the lives of Ghanaians. He assured the nation that his government remained dedicated to enhancing road infrastructure, promoting connectivity, and driving prosperity.

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso Boakye, stressed the importance of improving the district road network, citing its crucial role in connecting communities, facilitating trade and ensuring access to essential services.

He noted that DRIP-2024 aims to create safer, more efficient roads that would significantly boost local economies and improve the quality of life for citizens.

He expressed his commitment to building robust infrastructure that supports growth and prosperity, highlighting the government’s dedication to developing Ghana’s road network.

Mr. Asenso Boakye called for continued collaboration to pave the way for a brighter and more connected future.

He said, with DRIP-2024, the country had taken a significant step towards enhancing its infrastructure, promoting economic growth, and improving the lives of its citizens.

The Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), Irene Naa Torshie Addo-Lartey, expressed joy at the initiative, stating it demonstrated the Fund’s commitment to empowering local governments to foster development and improve citizens’ lives.

She explained that the commissioned equipment would enable districts to construct, maintain, and improve their road networks, facilitating trade, movement of people and goods, and contributing to socio-economic development.

She thanked partners for their support and collaboration, acknowledging the President and Vice- President’s acceptance and support of the initiative. She also expressed gratitude to the Jospong Group for its technical support and partnership.

The Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, commended President Akufo-Addo for his unwavering support in addressing Ghana’s challenges.

He pledged to provide technical support for the machinery and establish a vehicle assembly branch in all regions.

According to him, it is encouraging that his group will play a significant role in DRIP.

He stressed that DRIP would boost district assemblies’ capacity, create jobs, stimulate economic growth, enhance infrastructural development, improve market access, and upgrade health delivery systems.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guangxi LiuGong Machinery Co., Ltd., Mr. Zeng Guang’An, expressed his company’s happiness in being a key partner in DRIP. He said LiuGong, a leading manufacturer of construction machinery, provides advanced equipment for the transformative initiative, which aims to improve road networks across the country.

He assured that his company was committed to delivering reliable and innovative solutions that drive progress and development. He also expressed gratitude to the Government of Ghana and all stakeholders for their trust in the company.

“The partnership aims to enhance road networks, improve connectivity, and facilitate sustainable development across the nation. Together, we are building the roads to a brighter future,” Mr. Zeng stated.

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December 3, 2024
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President commissions phase II of the Tema Motorway Interchange

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday commissioned the Tema Motorway Roundabout Phase II project, a major intersection connecting the capital city of Accra to the industrial city of Tema.

The facility, coming on the back of the recent inauguration of the Flowerpot and Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchanges, is designed to ease traffic congestion at the five-legged Tema intersection.

It is one of the critical components of the rehabilitation and expansion of the 19.5-kilometer stretch encompassing the transformation of the Motorway into a modern 10-lane divided highway.

“Road infrastructure is the backbone of the nation’s progress,” the President said, noting that giving Ghana’s busiest Motorway a facelift was fundamental to accelerated socio-economic advancement.

The Accra-Tema Motorway has served as a vital artery for the nation’s development for nearly six decades, linking the industrial city to the other parts of the country and West African sub-Region.

The Tema Motorway Roundabout Phase II project commenced in July 2022, aiming to enhance urban mobility, logistics and trade integration in the Greater Accra Region, as well as the West African economic bloc, ECOWAS.

Following a preparatory survey by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, the Phase One converted the roundabout into a two-tier intersection and was completed ahead of schedule in June 2020.

The second phase involved the construction of a third-tier flyover to alleviate the traffic burden at the intersection.

The entire Motorway rehabilitation project’s scope includes the rehabilitation of three critical sections: the Accra-Tema Motorway, the George Walker Bush Highway and the Nsawam Road.

The construction of both phase One and Phase II were funded by a Japanese grant of 91 million dollars.

President Nana Akufo-Addo indicated that the objective was to remove bottlenecks on the major highways to facilitate regional trade and economic integration.

“These projects are part of a deliberate policy to decentralise economic opportunities and ensure equitable development across the nation.

“From the Pokuase Interchange, the largest in West Africa, to the Tamale Interchange, the first of its kind in northern Ghana, we have worked tirelessly to open up our country, reduce disparities, and empower communities,” he emphasised.

The Government, the President said, had laid the foundation for a resilient economically vibrant and inclusive Ghana, touting his administration’s successes in education, healthcare, amongst others.

The World Bank, in a 2023 report, said rapid increases in population and vehicle ownership had led to unsustainable commuting times and deteriorating air quality in most developing countries.

“The impacts of highway construction are procompetitive in both output and input markets, increasing labour’s share of income by about 1.8 to 2.3 percentage points,” according to the global apex financial body.

It added that urban transportation systems played a key role in shaping the growth and development of cities.

Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister of Roads and Highways, lauded the Japanese Government for its support in completing the project.

He assured the public that the government was committed to improving the road conditions linking the Tema Motorway Interchange, including the Tema Aflao road

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November 27, 2024
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Police establish GHC20,000 informant system ahead of December polls

The National Election Security Taskforce has introduced a financial reward system to encourage the public to report potential security threats ahead of the upcoming elections.

Under the initiative, informants can share relevant information with the police or other security agencies and receive rewards ranging from GH¢1,000 to GH¢20,000.

Reports can be made via the toll-free hotline 0800-311-311.

The Inspector General of Police and head of the National Election Security Taskforce, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, announced the initiative during a meeting with the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) on Wednesday, November 27.

Dr. Dampare emphasized that the programme aims to bolster election security by encouraging public participation in safeguarding the process.

“We are introducing the informant reward system, and the figure involved is between GH¢1,000 and GH¢20,000. You bring the information, we operationalise it, and if the results are good, we tell you how much you will be given and you tell us the means through which you will want it, and we send it to you.

“For that matter, we have introduced a toll-free number for that purpose, and anybody who will want to share information with us and that toll-free number is 0800-311-311.”

Source: citinewsroom.com