The Nana Addo led government has promised to invest massively in the development of roads and infrastructure in 2019.
The Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta revealed this when he presented the 2019 today saying “A Stronger Economy for Jobs and Prosperity Budget” in Parliament.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament today, the Finance Minister said, “Mr. Speaker, in 2019, we will invest massively in the development of roads and infrastructure, from a variety funding sources and the following projects have been identified to commence in 2019.”
He added “Mr. Speaker, in addition to the above, in 2019, Government in partnership with the private sector through PPP arrangements will undertake various projects including Accra–Takoradi Highway Dualisation, Accra – Tema Motorway and Accra – Kumasi Highway Dualisation.”
On railways, Ken Ofori-Atta said, ”Mr. Speaker, work also commenced on rehabilitation works on the 70.8km narrow gauge sections of the Eastern Railway Line from Accra to Nsawam and Accra to Tema. The Achimota to Tema section is 90 percent complete and Achimota to Accra Central and Achimota to Nsawam will be completed by end of 2018. Rehabilitation will continue to Koforidua in 2019.
Mr. Speaker, the feasibility studies for the proposed 596km Greenfield Railway Line from Kumasi to Paga, popularly known as the Central Spine, has been undertaken. Phase 1 from Kumasi to Buipe section will commence in 2019.”
He added that, “Mr. Speaker, the following feasibility studies commenced and will be pursued in 2019:
a. rail link on BOT basis between the Tema Port and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
b. Development of Metro / Light Rail Transit Systems in Accra and Kumasi such as the recently signed Accra Sky Train project;
c. Trans-ECOWAS line from Aflao through Cape Coast to Elubo; and
d. Re-development of the Central Line from Kotoku in the Greater Accra Region to Huni Valley in the Western Region.
Mr. Speaker, the Railway Location Workshop, also at Essikado, is being modernised and equipped, and will be completed in 2019 to become a one-stop workshop to serve the railway, mining, petroleum and agricultural industries. We are confident, 2019 will witness the relaunch of the railway system in Ghana.”
By: Joseph Nii Ankrah