Former Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, has strongly responded to recent remarks made by the current Roads Minister regarding the legacy of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the area of road development.
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The current minister, during a nationwide tour, reportedly claimed that he had “not seen evidence” of significant contributions to Ghana’s road infrastructure by the former administration.
In a direct rebuttal, Hon. Asenso-Boakye described the statement as inaccurate, disingenuous, and politically charged, aimed at undermining the remarkable strides made under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership between 2017 and 2024.
“This is not just disappointing but also deeply misleading,” Asenso-Boakye stated. “Facts and national records cannot be erased by mere political commentary.”
13,624 Kilometers of Roads Constructed Under Nana Addo
In defending the performance of the previous administration, Hon. Asenso-Boakye cited official data showing that a total of 13,624 kilometers of roads were constructed across the country during President Nana Addo’s tenure. This, he emphasized, marks one of the most ambitious and impactful road infrastructure drives in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
From urban centers to rural communities, the road projects—ranging from asphalt overlays, highway expansions, interchanges, and feeder roads—transformed both movement and economic activities nationwide.
“This achievement is not only historic but measurable,” Asenso-Boakye stressed. “Every region of Ghana benefited from the aggressive and well-coordinated infrastructure plan championed by President Akufo-Addo.”
Major Projects Highlighting the Nana Addo Road Agenda
The former minister pointed out that many of the iconic interchanges and highways currently in use were initiated, funded, and completed under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government between 2017 and 2024.
These include but are not limited to:
- The Pokuase Interchange – the first four-tier interchange in West Africa
- The Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange in Accra
- Major upgrades on the Tema Motorway and the Tamale Interchange
- Numerous feeder roads in cocoa-growing areas under the Cocobod-funded road initiative
“These are not phantom projects; they exist, they are used daily, and they have significantly improved road safety and economic access,” Asenso-Boakye added.
Politics Should Not Erase Progress
Hon. Asenso-Boakye urged public officials—especially those occupying critical roles—to acknowledge past progress rather than play politics with development. He noted that the people of Ghana deserve an honest and consistent narrative, regardless of political affiliations.
“Leadership must be about truth and continuity,” he remarked. “It’s disheartening when efforts that have visibly benefited millions of Ghanaians are conveniently ignored just to score political points.”
He also cautioned against the growing trend of administrative amnesia, where current leaders pretend that national projects started by previous governments do not exist.
Call for National Unity Over Infrastructure
In his concluding remarks, Asenso-Boakye called for a bipartisan approach to national development, especially in critical sectors like infrastructure. According to him, Ghana’s road network is a shared asset and must not be treated as a partisan trophy.
He encouraged the current Roads Minister to build upon the solid foundation laid by the previous administration rather than attempt to rewrite history.
“It is our collective responsibility to improve the lives of Ghanaians. The focus should be on accelerating development, not erasing it.”
The Road Ahead for Ghana
As Ghana continues to push for sustainable economic growth and regional connectivity, the role of road infrastructure remains critical. While political leaders may differ in approach or ideology, truth and data must remain non-negotiable pillars in public discourse.
The road sector under Nana Addo’s administration, as defended by Asenso-Boakye, has left an indelible mark on the nation’s landscape. As political seasons change, the hope of many citizens is that development gains will not be lost to rhetoric or partisanship, but rather extended for the benefit of generations to come.
