On Thursday 25th April 2024, the Ahanta West Municipal Assembly hosted a team from Effia-Kwesimintim Municipal Assembly and representatives from Justmoh Construction on the 23-Kilometer Takoradi -Agona road which has been awarded to Justmoh Construction.
The program was scheduled to commence at 8:00 am but the team arrived at 9:30am. Hon. Municipal Chief Executive of Ahanta West Municipal Assembly welcomed the team.
Hon. J.Y. Baidoo, the Presiding Member for Ahanta West said a prayer for commencement of the program.
Hon. John Agyare introduced the Chiefs, Assembly Members and dignitaries present.
Hon. John Dannis introduced the team from EKMA
While Mr. Stephen Harmond also introduced the team from Justmoh Constructions.
Hon. Kojo Acqua the Chief Executive for EKMA who doubles as the Chairman for the meeting thanked the attendees for the privilege to sit in on behalf of the Regional Minister. He remarked that he was please upon what he saw when the Regional Minister and the team visited the site. He said he is very optimistic that Justmoh Constructions would do a yeoman’s job for the betterment of Western Region.
The Municipal Chief Executives of Ahanta West Municipal Assembly acknowledged the dignitaries present. He noted that, the purpose for the gathering was to give the scope of work of the Takoradi-Agona road to stakeholders. He said the road serves millions of people from all works of life, hence, it imperative to assemble all stakeholders to give an account of the progress of the project.
PRESENTATION BY THE CONSTRUCTOR
According to Mr. Stephen Hamornd the Government has giving an approval with the support of GC Bank to fund the project. He said the project is set to commence but there were some challenges with regards to some areas where the lands were heavily encroached, relocating pipelines, electricity poles and temporal structures like the container stores etc.
SECOND PRESENTATION (the scope of work)
Mr. Kwame Anso, the project manager in charge of highways submitted that, the reconstruction of 23-kilometer Takoradi-Agona road had commenced. He said the first 3.5 kilometers from PTC interchange to Apremdo 2BN barracks, would be upgraded and made asphalt, then dual carriage through to Agona. He said, due to the busy nature of the road, they would maintain the existing ones and work on the new roads, then later divert the cars to the new road and reconstruct the old ones, so this would not affect the road users. He also said the bridges will be upheld in the course of the project and later be expanded. He estimated thirty-six (36) months as the duration for the project. He said the road was designed such that, pedestrians would have their walk ways including bus stops,
Project Affected Persons
He said consultation has been made with the Ghana Highways Authority to address these challenges, he added that, stakeholder’s engagement has been carried out and it still ongoing.
REGIONAL CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
Mr. Indonasia, the Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) expressed his utmost satisfaction on this project. He applauded the NPP Government lead by His Excellence Nana Addo Dankwa Akoffo Addo for swift responds to the plight of the people of Western Region. He said a lot of consultation went on behind closed doors and he was happy that the project had finally seen the light of the day. He edged all who had their property within the demarcated areas to vacate the place to enable them carry out their work. He added that, compensations due these affected persons would be sorted in due time.
DISCUSSION/ OPEN FORUM
The stakeholder’s engagement meeting for the dualization of the Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta road was held in the Ahanta West Municipal Assembly Hall. The meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the possible problems that can occur during the execution of the project.
The following questions came up during the meeting;
Removal of affected structures: a question was asked if the marked structures should be removed now or wait till machines are brought on site before they are removed, the mc of the program gave response for the structures to be removed before the contractor moves to site,
Local Content: Participants emphasized that the contractor should look at local content in his work. This will be a source of employment for the youth in the community,
Lorry Station: Participants from Apowa pleaded with the Assembly and contractor to help in the relocation of Apowa lorry station. They informed the house they have a place for the relocation so they need assistance to put the place in good shape for the purpose.
The chiefs on the stretch gave their pledge to assist in whatever they need to do to make the project a success.
Also, a participant pleaded for the Assembly and the Contractor to have more media engagement for the dissemination of information to the residents along the stretch.
SUGGESTIONS
Some of the suggestions were as follows;
1. The contractor should consider speed humps at well-built areas to help minimize road accidents.
2. Zebra crossing should also be considered at communities that has schools on the roadside.
Below were pictures of the meeting:
