Mr Kwasi Amoako Atta, Minister of Roads and Highways, has announced that the 94-million-dollar Pokuase Interchange Project would be upgraded from its original three-tier to four-tier status.

The additional tier, he said, would not attract extra funds, affect the quality of work and the project completion date of 2020. The Government is jointly funding the Project with the African Development Bank.

Mr Amoako Atta said this during a tour of some project sites, with a team, including Mr Anthony Karbo, one his deputies, and some directors of the agencies under the Ministry.

The completion of the Interchange would ease traffic congestion, improve urban mobility, which would benefit agro-industries located within the project zone, facilitate socio-economic activities and improve livelihoods.

He explained that the upgrade was the result of the savings made after technical and engineering variations and modification, conducted jointly by some technical experts of the Ministry, the consultants, and the contractors.

The project is being undertaken by Zhongmei Engineering Group Limited, with Messrs Associated Consultants Limited (ACON) and the Bigen Group as the consultants.

The Minister commended the contractors for working ahead of schedule and playing a key role in the re-assessment of the project.

“I am very pleased with what I have seen because you have demonstrated that you are committed to ensuring value for money,” he stated. “Your work is progressing faster than expected.
“You have proven that you deserve the contract. For the first time, I am impressed and I hope all contractors in the country will emulate this honesty and sincerity.”

The Interchange connects the Awoshie-Pokuase link, the proposed Pokuase-Ritz-Motorway Roads, among others.

Mr Amoako Atta said it would also provide vital integrated links, viable and sustainable transport infrastructure to reduce poverty, promote regional integration and make Ghana a transportation hub within the ECOWAS sub-region.

The Minister said in consonance with international practice and the nation’s quest for achieving the sustainable development goals on environmental sustainability, provision had been made to plant trees and other ornamentals along the road.

“The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is very passionate about the planting of trees and flowers along all the roads under construction,” he said.