Mankessim
(CR),
Nov. 18,
Ghanadot/GNA
–
President
John
Agyekum
Kufuor
on
Tuesday
inaugurated
the 116
kilometre
Mallam-Yamoransa
Highway
rehabilitated
at about
80
million
dollars.
The
project,
executed
in three
phases,
was
funded
through
a
Japanese
Government
grant of
54.6
million
dollars,
and a
World
Bank
loan of
18
million
dollars
and
Ghana
Government
counterpart
funding
of 8.9
million
Ghana
cedis.
The 18
kilometre
Mallam-Kasoa
section
is a
three-lane
dual
carriageway
from
Mallam
Junction
to
Dunkonaa,
and a
dual
carriageway
between
Dunkonaa
and
Kasoa,
tapering
into a
single-carriageway
from
Kasoa
Junction.
President
Kufuor
expressed
concern
about
the
temporary
structures
within
the 60
metre
prohibited
zone of
the road
which
did not
augur
well for
its
future
expansion
and
called
for an
immediate
end to
the
encroachment.
He
directed
Metropolitan,
Municipal
and
District
Assemblies
to
ensure
strict
monitoring
to
prevent
people
from
erecting
illegal
structures
within
the
zone.
President
Kufuor
said to
prolong
life
span of
the road
and
enable
the
country
derive
maximum
benefit
from the
investment,
vehicle
operators
who
exceeded
the
approved
axle
load of
11.5
tonnes
should
be
prosecuted.
An axle
load
weighing
station
has been
built on
a
section
of the
highway
at
Elimina.
He
expressed
concern
about
the
increase
in road
accidents
caused
by
over-speeding
and
disregard
for
traffic
safety
signs.
Mr
Keiichi
Katami,
Japanese
Ambassador
to
Ghana,
said the
project
was a
testimony
of the
deep
friendship
and
co-operation
between
Ghana
and
Japan.
Ms
Kathrine
Bain,
Ghana
Country
Programme
Manger
of World
Bank,
said
there
was a
direct
relationship
between
good
roads
and
quality
of life
of the
people.
Dr
Richard
Winfred
Anane,
Minister
for
Transportation,
noted
that
completion
of the
road had
resulted
in
tremendous
economic
benefits.
He said
it had
reduced
travel
time
between
Accra
and Cape
Coast
from
three
hours to
two
hours on
the
average,
brought
down
vehicle
operating
cost and
enhanced
safety
and
reliability
of the
road.
GNA
