GOVERNMENT HAS announced that in the second half of 2019, over GH₵ 3 billion of cocoa roads are set to commence in cocoa growing areas across the country.

According to Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who made this known on Sunday, July 21, 2019, road infrastructure is expected to see a major boost nationwide upon the resumption of cocoa roads as well as commencement of other road projects.

It would be recalled that cocoa road projects were discontinued for audit and re-scoping and proper alignment of funds to execute them.

The New Patriotic Party’s administration upon assumption of office in January 2017, had raised several concerns of the nature contracts awarded to contractors for cocoa roads under the former President John Mahama’s regime.

That led to the suspension of cocoa road projects to allow for auditing into the contracts.

According to Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, upon completion of the auditing exercise, some road projects have been terminated, others re-scoped and others handed over to the proper agencies such as highways and urban roads to execute them.

He revealed that “funding is now also being availed for the commencement of these projects with the assurance that contractors can actually be paid for works done.”

He noted that other road projects as funded through the central government budget and road fund are expected to pick up during the year.

“This includes the LEKMA and other roads which have already been given out on contract with contractors already mobilizing to site,” according to the Minister