Kumasi, June 21, GNA - The Government's drive to efficiently manage the traffic situation in the country's major cities for easy vehicular movement on Saturday took another giant step forward with the start of work on the Oforikrom-Asokwa bypass and Lake Road project in Kumasi. The 37.5 million-dollar dual carriageway with an interchange is being funded by Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) of France. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months and is being implemented by Shinsung Engineering and Construction Company of South Korea.

Performing the ceremony to mark the start of work on the bypass President John Agyekum Kufuor said it was in fulfilment of the government's promise made in November 2006 to undertake the Kumasi Road and Urban Development Project. He repeated the government's resolve to expand the country's transport infrastructure to support investment in the productive sectors of the economy, specifically, agriculture, tourism, education, health and internal trade. Investments in these sectors, he noted, were critical to the country's vision of achieving middle-income status and attaining the Millennium Development Goals.

President Kufuor said it was in furtherance of this that the government has since 2002 deployed massive resources to the road sector. The record so far showed expansion of the road network from 38,000 kilometres in 2001 to 63,000 kilometres in 2007. From a rating mix of 27 per cent in good condition, 17 per cent fair and 56 per cent poor in 2001, the road network now showed 46 per cent good, 35 per cent fair and only 19 per cent poorer as of 2007 Present Kufuor thanked the French government for its continued support and co-operation in Ghana's infrastructural development programme, especially roads. Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Transportation, said the government's commitment towards providing first class roads was in steady progress and assured those whose property would be affected by the bypass project of adequate compensation.

Daasebre Osei Bonsu, Mamponghene, who represented the Asantehene, appealed to the government to ensure the implementation of all projects that were on the drawing board for the metropolis. Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, in an address read for him, said the government had shown great commitment not only towards the development of the city's infrastructure to match its growth and importance but also to enhance its development as a modern and competitive city. He cited the various projects provided including the Kumasi Golden Tulip, the Asafo UTC Interchange, infrastructure development at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Kumasi Polytechnic, model Senior High Schools and the Accident and Emergency Centre at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).