The arrangement for the construction of a double-lane road from Takoradi to Agona Nkwanta has been firmly secured, Western Region Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah has announced.
An elated regional minister indicated that just as there was a heavy cloud of skepticism over the construction of the Tarkwa to Agona Nkwanta road, there will also be doubt about his announcement.
“But I can tell the Region with absolute certainty that only yesterday I was in Accra to firmly secure the final arrangements.”
Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah made the announcement at the Media launch of the 6th Ghana Hotels Association Awards and Hotel Business forum in Takoradi on the theme, ‘Sustaining the Hotel Industry in Ghana Post Covid-19’.
The Takoradi to Agona Nkwanta Road is 28 kilometres. It connects the Ahanta West Municipality to the mining district of the region and joins two other assemblies to link Ivory Coast.
The road also serves as a critical link to some of the pristine beaches, hotels and tourist destinations in the Region.
Unfortunately, years of neglect have left several portions with life threatening ruts.
Traversing sections including the Apremdo Traffic Light, St. Mary’s, Aboade and others are a nightmarish experience.
Commuters including market women and owners of hospitality businesses have decried how the deplorable conditions of the road are affecting their economic fortunes.
The regional minister assures government remains firm in its commitment to ensure that the road is rehabilitated.
“The other most crucial part is that our own son from the region will be doing that project. So he cannot fail us. There is a huge interest to see the road done and I’m assuring you all here that it will be done because of what I know and what I have been able to do”.
The regional minister called on stakeholders in the hospitality industry to organize their efforts in partnership with others to build the Ghana hotel brand through marketing, national HR database, Quality service with a mindset change that aligns their behaviors with their mission.
Some owners of hospitality centres dotted around the stretch are optimistic that the project will be done so that the region will be able to earn enough from its alluring tourism sector.
“Beyond this, when the road is done, many people from all over will then be motivated to come and see the good things the region has to offer in terms of tourism and this will give the region visibility as well. There are many wonderful places in the region to see. But all these areas are not getting attention because of bad roads.”
By Eric Yaw Adjei