Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Xoese Dogbe, has moved to clear the air over public concerns surrounding the delayed Asokwa to Santasi Roundabout road project, insisting that the initiative remains firmly on track and central to the government’s plans for Kumasi.
His response came after Kumasi resident Akwasi A Afrifa Akoto raised alarm over the pace of work on the road, warning that the project risked stalling indefinitely.
Mr Dogbe began by thanking Akoto for his commitment to Kumasi’s development, describing the concerns raised as an opportunity to clarify the status of the project.
He said his response drew on information gathered directly from the Ashanti Regional Minister and the Roads Minister. According to Mr Dogbe, the Asokwa to Santasi Roundabout project is not an isolated or hastily conceived initiative.
He explained that it forms part of the broader Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Development Plan, a document prepared with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency and first initiated under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration in September 2013.
“Recognizing the rapid growth of Kumasi and the increasing traffic burden, the current Mahama administration has prioritized the implementation of this long-standing plan to improve mobility, reduce travel time, and unlock the economic potential of our city.”
Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Xoese Dogbe
Funding and Obligations Under the JICA Agreement
Mr Dogbe noted that the Ahodwo to Santasi Roundabout stretch is being financed by JICA, and that the arrangement comes with specific obligations placed on both the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Government of Ghana.
Chief among these, he said, is the timely clearing of affected areas so construction can proceed according to the agreed schedule.
He confirmed that the necessary financing agreements have already been executed by the Ministers for Finance and for Roads and Highways together with JICA, signaling that the funding framework for the project is in place.
Addressing Environmental and Property Concerns
Acknowledging public unease over the removal of mature trees along the project corridor, Mr Dogbe said the government is committed to restoring the area’s ecological balance by planting at least two trees for every one removed. “Development and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand,” he said.
On the question of affected properties, Mr Dogbe said due process will govern any impact on private land or structures, with lawful owners receiving compensation as provided for under the project.
He stated clearly that no hotel is currently expected to be directly affected by the road expansion, though he added that any unforeseen issues that arise would be handled according to the law and the project’s established procedures.
He confirmed that some fuel stations, commercial frontages and car dealership premises fall within the project corridor and are being cleared in line with the implementation schedule.
According to Mr Dogbe, some operators have already relocated voluntarily after the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly removed boundary fences to prepare the corridor for construction.
Support From Traditional Leadership
Mr Dogbe pointed to the involvement of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, describing his support as invaluable to fulfilling Kumasi’s obligations under the project.
He framed this backing as part of a wider effort to ensure the transformative road project moves forward without further delay. Mr Dogbe closed his statement by appealing directly to residents and stakeholders to support the project, describing it as central to the future of Kumasi.
He said the completed road would significantly improve transportation, boost economic activity and strengthen development prospects for both the city and the wider Ashanti Region for generations to come.
The Concerns That Prompted the Response
Mr Dogbe’s statement followed a pointed social media post from Akwasi A Afrifa Akoto, who expressed doubt that the project could be completed given its scope.
Mr Akoto argued that the Asokwa to Santasi stretch sits at the economic heart of Kumasi, and he criticized the removal of long-standing trees while structures such as houses, hotels, and car lots built more recently along the corridor remained untouched at the time of his post.
Mr Akoto questioned how officials intended to clear those structures to finish the road and suggested that a separate, longer expressway project between Kumasi and Accra might be completed first.
He also voiced concern that the project had proceeded without absolute guarantees of financing, though he acknowledged that completing the road by 2028 would prove his fears wrong.
Mr Dogbe’s detailed response sought to address each of these concerns directly, emphasizing that financing has been secured, compensation processes are in place and the project remains aligned with a development plan that predates the current administration.
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