Work on Denu-Aflao highway to stall over disagreements

The reconstruction of the Denu – Aflao highway could stall over demands for a dual carriageway.

That would mean an additional 25 million dollars, huge cost of compensation for those whose property would be demolished and the cost of demolition.

Mr Joe Gidisu, Minister of Roads and Highways gave the hint when he inspected a number of road projects in the Southern sector of the Volta region.

Mr Gidisu said further discussions would have to be held with the traditional authorities to break the stalemate over the matter.

He explained that the Denu–Aflao highway was designed to be a single lane to be funded by the African Development Bank (AFDB).

Mr Gidisu said the Agbozume – Denu segment and the seven kilometer Akatsi by-pass, which constitute Lot Two of the Accra-Aflao highway project would be completed and fully opened to traffic by April 1, this year.

Mr Gidisu said but for the seven kilometer Aflao – Denu portion, over which there is disagreement the entire Accra – Aflao highway would have been completed by April 1.

Mr Gidisu inspected the Akatsi by-pass and the Agbozume – Denu segment funded by the AfDB and the Ghana government.

Others include the GHC2.9 million 13 kilometers Abor-Anyako link road, three kilometer Anyako – Seva road funded by government and a 28 kilometer Abor-Ohawu and Tadzewu-Hevi roads funded by the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) at a cost of five million dollars.

The Minister was satisfied with the execution of the projects, saying that, government was on course to upgrade roads to enhance transportation and economic activities in the region.

Mr Gidisu said the seeming neglect of the region was because of its “huge development deficit” prompting demands “from everywhere on government for immediate attention”.

“We are on course, but it is impossible to do everything at a go”, he said. He said the 42 kilometer Havedzi – Weta – Metsrikasa road linking Keta and other areas would take off soon.

Togbe Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of Aflao observed that the failure of government officials to discuss issues pertaining to the project accounted for the demand being made by the people.**