Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called on Ghanaians to exercise patience as the government works to address the nation’s road infrastructure deficits, acknowledging the frustration many citizens feel about the slow pace of road improvements.
During a working visit to the Ministry of Roads and Highways in Accra yesterday, the Vice-President empathised with communities affected by poor road conditions while urging understanding as authorities implement sustainable solutions.
“We are aware that people want the roads fixed yesterday, not even tomorrow or today. The anxiety is understood, but we also plead for patience as we do the right things for all of us,” Professor Opoku-Agyemang said.
She highlighted the broader impact of deteriorating roads beyond transportation challenges, noting their effect on health, education, and overall quality of life. “If I live on a road where there’s dust 24-7, some of us will wonder, what does that do to the children in the area?” she remarked.
Call for Administrative Efficiency
The Vice-President urged ministry staff to eliminate bureaucratic delays, emphasising that time management directly affects development outcomes.
“If there is something we can do today, let us do it today. Sometimes time itself becomes costly when we do not handle it properly,” she advised.
She was accompanied by her Chief of Staff, Alex Percival Segbefia, and other officials. The delegation was received by Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Governs Agbodza, along with directors and heads of agencies under the ministry.
Road Safety and Maintenance Culture
Professor Opoku-Agyemang stressed the need for sustained public education on responsible road use to reduce accidents. She also called for strengthening the country’s maintenance culture to protect infrastructure investments.
Ministry Faces GH¢110 Billion Project Portfolio
Minister Agbodza revealed that the ministry inherited a challenging financial situation upon assuming office, including over-commitments and substantial unpaid obligations totalling approximately GH¢40 billion in outstanding certificates, with an overall project portfolio exceeding GH¢110 billion.
Despite these obstacles, he assured that the government is making steady progress toward stabilising the sector while advancing road network expansion and rehabilitation.
Local Contractors Ready to Deliver
Mr Agbodza dismissed perceptions that local contractors lack capacity to deliver quality infrastructure, describing such views as outdated and unfair.
“Ghanaians will build roads that will last even longer than some built by foreigners, and we are determined to challenge ourselves to achieve that,” he stated. “We challenge our local contractors who are at the heart of the ‘Big Push’ initiative to rise to the occasion.”
The minister noted that community feedback, including input from traditional authorities, churches, and residents, has prompted deliberate steps to improve construction standards.
Appeal for Understanding During Construction
Addressing traffic disruptions associated with ongoing works, Mr Agbodza appealed for public patience, explaining that temporary inconveniences are necessary to ensure safety during complex engineering operations.
The minister also called for additional staffing support, noting that recruiting more engineers and technical personnel would enhance project supervision and quality assurance.
The visit formed part of the government’s broader engagement with sector ministries to align operations with President John Dramani Mahama’s development agenda.
