KWASO, Ghana, 14th September: President John Dramani Mahama has commended chiefs, traditional rulers and farmers along the Accra-Kumasi Expressway corridor for sacrificing land, crops and property to facilitate the right-of-way clearance for the project.
President Mahama expressed his appreciation at Kwaso in the Ashanti Region during a ceremony marking the completion of the Ghana Armed Forces’ clearance of 175.6 kilometres of the project corridor.
The President acknowledged that the right-of-way clearance came at a cost to some landowners and farmers whose farms and properties fell within the designated corridor.
He said their cooperation was essential to the successful completion of the military’s assignment.
“I also wish to thank the chiefs and people along the right of way. Without their cooperation, we wouldn’t be here today,” President Mahama said.
He noted that some traditional leaders had personally lost farms as a result of the exercise.
“Indeed, one of the chiefs was telling me that this spot where we’re standing is his farm. And yet, he has had to sacrifice to have the farm cleared for the greater good of Ghana,” he said.
President Mahama praised farmers and other affected persons for accepting the disruption and sacrifice associated with the project.
He also commended the chiefs and traditional authorities who worked with the Ghana Armed Forces to facilitate access and ensure that the right-of-way clearance proceeded smoothly.
The clearance covers 175.6 kilometres from Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region to Sewua in the Ashanti Region.
According to President Mahama, the military completed the task in 19 weeks, one week ahead of the 20-week deadline originally set for the assignment.
He described the achievement as a major milestone towards the construction of the 198.7-kilometre, six-lane Accra-Kumasi Expressway.
He said the new expressway would also stimulate economic activity by making the movement of passengers and goods between Ghana’s two largest cities faster and more efficient.
President Mahama assured the chiefs and communities along the corridor that the government intends to return to Kwaso before Christmas to break ground for the construction of the expressway.
The government has announced that $2 billion has been set aside to finance the project, with President Mahama stating that the funds are being held in a special account at the Bank of Ghana.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭