Road projects in Kumasi, including the Suame Interchange, remain a major concern for residents and stakeholders. Lawyer John Darko, Member of Parliament for Suame, has expressed doubts about the government’s commitment to completing these projects.
Speaking with Orange Newsroom reporter, Alfa Ali, he said they do not need to be told by word of mouth whether some projects will be continued but the budget will prove it. “The point is that don’t tell me about your values. Show me your budget. So don’t tell me that you’ll fix the roads and continue and complete the other projects in Kumasi. Show me your budget,” he stated.
The MP criticized the government’s allocation of $800 million for infrastructure development, arguing that the amount is insufficient.
” If you see, the roads they are concentrating on right now are what they call the Eastern Corridor Roads, the ones connecting the Volta Region. The road construction and the uncompleted projects in Kumasi alone can consume the $800 million, and you are talking about dedicating $800 million for the whole country? he questioned.
He said clearly there was no commitment to completing these stalled road projects.
Road Projects: About the Suame Interchange
The MP confirmed the halt in the construction of the Suame interchange. “It has stopped. The number of workers there has reduced drastically. They’ve sacked some people.”
John Darko highlighted the Suame Interchange project as one of the key road projects in Kumasi, which has strategic importance beyond the constituency. He said it serves as an international route connecting Burkina Faso, Mali, and other Sahelian regions.
“Look, Suame Interchange is not just for us. It’s an international project. It’s an international trunk road connecting all the way to Burkina, Mali, and the Sahelian regions. And so they really have to look at it,” he reiterated.
He also pointed out the inconsistencies in government claims regarding funding for infrastructure projects. He said the NPP government were taking money from annual budget funds to build infrastructure projects like hospitals, and therefore, the NDC government did not have an excuse.
“ they are telling us that we didn’t leave any dedicated funds. But we were taking money from the annual budget funding account to do these things. So, how can you tell me that there’s no dedicated fund? It’s because they don’t intend to fund these projects.”
The MP reiterated that he would only be convinced by concrete budgetary commitments rather than verbal assurances.
“So, as I said, I’m not going to take him at his word. He should show me his budget. Because it’s the budget that will show me that we are committed to finishing or completing the project.”
However, he expressed optimism, citing the pending budget appropriation. “I want to give them the benefit of the doubt.”
