Mahama complain about stoppage of cocoa roads

Roads in cocoa-growing districts are in a terrible state, according to former president John Mahama, because the ruling NPP government refused to provide funding for construction following an audit of contracts that were awarded.

He said that the cocoa roads program received an annual allocation of $250 million from the cocoa syndicated loan.

Most of the bad roads, according to the NDC flagbearer, were contracted out as part of the cocoa roads program to facilitate the transportation of cocoa beans.

He noted that after the current government put a halt to the contracts for an audit, these projects stagnated.

Mr. Mahama clarifies that despite clearing the contractors, the government did not proceed with project funding.

“When I was Vice President, all chiefs were demanding improvement in roads. So I promised that I would institute the cocoa roads policy if I became President. It was to ensure $250 million, the 2 billion dollar syndicated cocoa loan is set aside for road infrastructure.

“We ensured that the Western Region got a chunk of the project. The NPP government came and halted the project for auditing. It took more than four years for them to clear the contractors. But some of the roads that were halfway done have further deteriorated”, he said.

As part of his “Building Ghana Tour,” Mr. Mahama spoke to residents of Essam in the Bia East District and promised to reinstate the program if elected.

“I’m not sure if the Esam Town Roads have continued, but we started them to some extent. Concerns are shared by the Bono and Ahafo Regions. We will revive the project and get the contractors back on site if I am elected president,” he continued.

Several cocoa regions that the “Building Ghana Tour” visited have fervently demanded better roads.

The tour’s convoy traversed some of the most difficult terrain in the Western North Region, the nation’s largest cocoa-growing region.

The trip to Esam in the Bia East District might be considered the most difficult thus far.

The drivers’ skill in transporting the team to the location safely was quite evident.

At one point, the windscreens were covered in clouds of dust, making visibility a serious concern.

Numerous chiefs have asked for the area’s road networks to be improved.

The traditional authority in Bodi expressed dissatisfaction over pregnant women being made to sit on motorcycles while being transported to hospitals for delivery.

If the NDC takes power, the country’s flagbearer has promised that stalled infrastructure projects in every district will be given priority.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com