Mahama Projects in the Green Book, a Clear and Present Danger to the NPP

The Mahama administration completed its first four-year term in 2016. During this time, the government deployed many unique development and governance models that are significantly different from what we witnessing under the current administration.

These models had a positive impact on Ghanaians and the economy and definitely merits a detailed study that future governments can build upon. In 2015/2016, the world bank and other institutions projected that the economy will grow between 7 to 8 percent because of investments made in oil and gas sector by the Mahama administration. The Mahama government undoubtedly accelerated the trend towards that target with multi pronged policies and focused investments.

Equally important, tackled Ghana’s biggest challenge, ensuring that majority of Ghanaians had access to the bare necessities of life. Significant strides were made by the administration towards ensuring that Ghanaians enjoyed dependable power, portable water etc. The four year period also saw an increased focus on infrastructure development with targeted investments in roads, ports, railways, hospitals, water projects, schools etc. Road transportation improved, the aviation sector became a global success.

These focused investments contributed to making Ghanaian business more competitive. The economy was visibly transforming into a more productive and efficient engine of growth that the world recognized, respected and participated in.

President Mahama personally reviewed projects execution in infrastructure, resulting in accelerated project completion, eliminated friction in the implementation of projects and improved overall efficiencies, prevented more cost increases and time delays. Many large local construction and infrastructure companies that are capable of executing larger projects were established.

Government expenditures play key roles in the operation of all economies and capital expenditure is usually seen as expenditure creating future benefits. Government expenditure is a key determinant of the size of the economy and of economic growth.

The effectiveness of government expenditure in expanding the economy and fostering rapid economic growth depends on whether it is productive or unproductive.

In assessing performance of the two administrations, we need to take a critical look at these dynamics. Projects executed by the Mahama administration including power generation, roads, hospitals etc are having positive effect on the economy, while unproductive expenditure by the current administration is having reverse effect. The economy has started facing challenges because of excessive government expenditure. Thank God Ghanaians are beginning to appreciate Mahama’s massive infrastructure revolution and feeling its direct impact. The incumbent as expected, has started attacking and rubbishing Mahama’s projects and policies. Mahama never stated anywhere that our roads problems are over and no government from 1957 achieved that.

Under Mahama, Ghana recorded its single largest intervention in the road sector, one larger than at any other time in the history of the country. Ghana has a national road network of 71,418 kilometers, of which 21 percent are trunk roads, 20 percent Urban and 59 percent being feeder roads. In 2015, the Mahama administration undertook routine maintenance work on 7,228 km of trunk roads, 7,471 km of feeder roads, and 5, 900 km of urban roads. In 2016, maintenance works were done on 11, 199 km of trunk roads, 22, 500 km of feeder roads, and 10, 200km of Urban roads. If we break it down by regions- In the Upper East Region, the following roads were either constructed or rehabilitated: Nadowli-Lawra- Hamile, Wa-Bulenga, Wa-Dorimon, Was-Han, Tumu-Han, Navrongo-Tumu, Navrongo-Tono, Bolgatanga-Bongo, Wikongo-Tongo, Bolgatanga-Bawku, Misiga-Kulungugu, and Sandema-Wiesi in addition to the construction of steel bridges on the Yala-Sombisi, Tantale-Tuvuu, Tuvuu-Lzabisi and Was-Walewale roads.

In the Volta Region, the administration completed portion of the Eastern Corridor road. Other roads it tackled in the Volta Region include, Sagokope-Battor, Juapong-Fodzoku-Torgome, Keta Krachi-Buya, Ho-Fume, Wora-wora Dambai, Bame-Dzolokpuita-Kpedze, Ho-Adidome, Adutor-Akutukope, Metrikasa-Havedzi, Golokwati-Wli-Hohoe, Tadzewu town roads, Hohoe town roads and Ho town roads.

In the Western Region, apart from the Agona junction-Elubo road, work was also completed on the 94 km Tarkwa-Bogoso-Ayamfuri road, and the 52km Ayamfuri-Asawinso road. Other roads the administration tackled include, Sefwi Bekwai-Eshiem, Sefwi Wiawso-Akontombra, Enchi-Dadieso, Prestea-Samreboi, Benchema-Oseikrom and Juabeso-Bodi Akontombra. In Sekondi-Takoradi municipality, 55km of the twin city roads had new asphalt overlays and constructed the Kansawurodo, Fijai overpasses and the Ntankofo link.

In the Central Region, apart from the almighty Kasoa interchange, the following roads had a facelift, Kasoa bypass, Mankesim-Abura Dunkwa, Assin-Twifo, Praso, Essiam Town roads, the Breman Asikuma-Amanfopong, widened the main Accra-Cape Coast road between the Iron City and Universal into a 6km three lane dual carriageway,

In the Ashanti Region, the administration completed the Sofoline interchange, the Assin-Praso-Bekwai road with a two lane bridge over the Pra River, 20 km roads were upgraded in 2014, and another 40km was upgraded in 2015. Other major road projects in the region include, Bomfa junction, Asiwa-Bekwai, Bekwai-Ampaha-Asiwa, Kumawu-Timaate-Drobonso, Agyenkwaso-Anomabu-Gyadem, and Obuasi-Ayamfuri, Obuasi Town roads, Edubiase-Anomabo, Am anti a-Obuasewa.

In the Brong Ahafo Region (then), the following roads were done, Nsawkaw-Namase, Section of the Wenchi-Sampa road, Berekum-Sampa, Atebubu-Kwame Danso-Kwadwokrom, Goaso-Kukuom junction, Prang-Kintampo, Kintampo-Abease, and Dormaa Ahenkro-Nkrankwanta,

In the Eastern Region, the following roads were either constructed or rehabilitated, Aburi-Nsawan road, Kwafokrom-Apedwa, Nsawan-Apedwa, Suhum-Asamankese, Nkwakwa-Atibie, Koforidua-Bunsu junction

In the Greater Accra, the following roads were either constructed or rehabilitated the East Legon enclave roads, Nkrumah interchange, Giffard Road, 37 military hospital -La Palm wine junction road, Awoshie -Pokuase Road, West Legon-George Bush Highway Bypasa, Nungua -Sakumono Beach Road, Ashaiman Highway, Rasta Bush Road, Spintex Road bypass, resurfacing work at North and South Kanda, James Town, Adakraba, Mamprobi, Chorkor, Adenta and Madina.

We shall delve into other projects executed during the time of the Mahama administration but for now the focus is on the road network. All these roads bring immense socioeconomic benefits to Ghanaians. The roads have eased traffic flow and motorists are making savings on fuel consumption and maintenance cost as statistics show that bad roads can triple the running coats of vehicles. The Mahama administration also rehabilitated the Adomi bridge at Senchi, Atimpoku, in the Eastern Region. This move has boasted economic activities in the area. The administration also provided brand new bridges over Brenya lagoon at Elmina that flows into the Atlantic ocean near the famous Elmina beach. This 84meter bridge replaced the old weak steel bridge that connected the Elmina town to the big tourist draw of Elmina Castle and the nearby Elmina Fish Market. The administration also provided ferry and water taxi to some fishing communities in the country.

Source: Ohenenana Obonti Krow