MP Defends Akufo-Addo's Road Legacy, Challenges Agbodza Over Project Criticism.
The former Minister of Works and Housing and Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency, Hon. Francis Asenso Boakye, has responded to criticisms regarding the state of Ghana's road infrastructure, defending projects undertaken during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) tenure under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Speaking at a press briefing, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye emphasized that the Akufo-Addo administration constructed approximately 13,624 kilometers of roads during its eight years in office. He explained that although this figure includes a variety of road interventions—not just new construction—it represents a significant effort to improve national connectivity.
"President Nana Addo's government built 13,624 kilometers of roads, which include not only new roads but also interventions like graveling, re-graveling, overlays, and upgrades in areas that previously had no access to motorable roads," he said. “In places like Osino, Nsawam, and Anyinam, there are bypasses currently under construction that form part of these new developments.”
Hon. Asenso Boakye further pointed out improvements in areas such as East Legon, Abelemkpe, Kumasi, and Takoradi, where overlay projects were done to enhance driving conditions, even though these may not qualify as brand-new road constructions.
He criticized the current Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Governs Kwame Agbodza, for rejecting data compiled by the Ministry’s Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, which he says are based on verified records of the NPP government’s work.
“If Hon. Agbodza believes the data is inaccurate, then he should question or dismiss the very official who compiled it—an official he chose to retain even after assuming office. It is inconsistent to both retain someone and then doubt their professional reports,” Asenso argued.
Further more, Hon. Asenso Boakye accused Hon. Agbodza of hypocrisy regarding procurement methods.
He said while Agbodza previously criticized the Akufo-Addo administration for using single-source procurement methods, he recently defended the practice, stating that procurement processes are justified if supported by proper engineering estimates.
“How can you trust someone who contradicts himself? One moment, he attacks single-source procurement, and the next, he says it doesn’t matter. The Ministry of Roads and Highways is a technical ministry, not a propaganda outlet,” he stated bluntly.
Report by PKB
