KEYNOTE ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT JOHN AGYEKUM KUFUOR
 AT THE SOD-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF WORKS ON THE MADINA-PANTANG ROAD PROJECT
ON MONDAY 9TH JUNE, 2008.
 
Hon. Ministers of State,
Hon. Members of Parliament,
Representatives of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA),
Representatives of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD),
Niimei,
Naamei,
Contractors and Consultants,
Distinguished Guest,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
 
It is with much pleasure that I join you this morning to perform the sod-cutting ceremony for the commencement of construction works on the 5.7 kilometre Madina-Pantang Road Project.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
This sod-cutting ceremony, once again, marks another milestone in our resolve and commitment to provide a sound and reliable social and economic infrastructure base which will facilitate and enhance the productive capacity of our people.
 
Since the year 2001, this government has embarked on the reconstruction, rehabilitation and maintenance of a number of trunk, feeder and urban roads through the breadth and length of the country in order to enhance the movement of goods, persons and services.
 
The evidence of what has been achieved within the period of the administration of this government is there for all Ghanaians to see and judge.  The sustained focus on the restoration and development of infrastructure including roads, rails, ports, aviation and energy is critical for opening up and accelerating the development of the nation.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
I need not emphasize the socio-economic contribution that the Madina-Pantang Road whose reconstruction we are inaugurating today, would make to the improvement of the quality of life of those who either live along the corridor or traverse it.
 
With the sprawling development of our nation capital over the past few years, a number of our compatriots have been constrained to live along the corridor and the immediate environs.  These people have to commute daily to and from their homes and the central business district of the capital especially at rush hours in the mornings and in the evenings.  Given the current narrow and poor state of this road, it has become a nightmarish and stressful experience commuting daily on this corridor.
 
The negative impact of this situation on the productivity of the individual and the national economy is great and to a large extent, affect our productivity and competitiveness in the sub region.  It is to reverse this negative trend that this Government has since the past five years embarked on a comprehensive programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Tetteh Quarshie Circle, Madina, Aburi to Manfe Road.
 
Works on the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange and Pantang-Manfe-Akuapim Roads have since been completed.  As we drove to this venue, one could not fail to observe that works on the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange to the Madina section is on-going.  When this project and similar ones are completed, the trauma and stress of living on the corridor will be greatly reduced.
 
The sod-cutting for the Madina-Pantang section today will lead to the completion of the development of the entire corridor.  The first part of the road from the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange to Peduase is a dual carriageway which continues with the new and rehabilitated road to Mamfe.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Since the good people of Ghana entrusted the administration of this nation to the NPP Government in 2001, the Government has amply demonstrated that given the relative peace, support and determination of Ghanaians, the Government could provide the necessary leadership and direction for the accelerated development of the nation.
 
In fact, our road development programme has proven to be a welcome catalyst to the positive pace of socio-economic transformation taking place in the country.
 
Mr. Chairman,
 
At this stage, I would like to acknowledge the financial and technical support given by our development partners in this direction.  Indeed, their support and cooperation have gone a long way to facilitate the achievement of this remarkable success.
 
I therefore take this opportunity to express the gratitude of my Government and the people of Ghana to our Development Partners, including the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) for their support towards the implementation of this particular project.
 
With the tremendous achievements that we have made, we are confident that we can continue to count on their support and cooperation.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
I am appealing to and indeed encouraging fellow citizens, especially our road users to endeavour to safeguard the integrity of the road network and other national assets which have been provided at huge costs to the tax payers.
 
I also charge the Ministry of Transportation and its agencies to step up their supervisory and monitoring roles to ensure that Ghana gets value for money for the numerous road projects on-going in the country.
 
May I also remind all road-users; pedestrians, passengers motorists and the road agencies to cooperate to ensure that safety and reliability of our roads and their furniture for our benefit and the benefit of our generations yet unborn.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
It is now my privileged duty to proceed to cut the sod to signal the official commencement of the reconstruction of the 5.7 Madina-Pantang Road.
 
Thank you all and May God bless us all.

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