Former Minister for Roads and Highways and MP for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has kicked against the idea of building an airport in Cape Coast,
He was of the view that improving road infrastructure is a more practical and economically beneficial solution.
Speaking in Parliament during discussions on the approval of a GHS3.2 billion budget for the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Asenso-Boakye asked about the need for an airport in Cape Coast, a project that was promised by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the lead-up to the 2020 elections.
Despite government justification at the time, analysts have repeatedly flagged the project as not viable.
He pointed out that, the real priority should be the enhancement of road connectivity between Accra, Cape Coast, and Takoradi, which would boost trade and tourism more effectively than an airport.
“If you invest in a very modern highway from Accra to Takoradi, you can do the journey in an hour and a half. That will transform the tourism dynamics in our country,” Asenso-Boakye said.
He appealed to the government to fast-track the completion of the Accra-Kumasi dualization project, stressing its importance for economic growth, as over 10 million Ghanaians rely on the route for daily trade and commerce.
He touched on poor road maintenance practices and the high cost of frequent rehabilitations, appealing for a shift towards concrete roads that last longer than asphalt.
“If we take the decision as a country to build concrete roads, we will save money in the long term because they last up to 50 years instead of the current 15-year cycle for asphalt,” he stated.
He advised the current Minister for Roads and Highways, to prioritize projects that bring economic value, rather than committing funds to an airport in Cape Coast.
Source: 3news.com