Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has renewed his administration’s strong commitment to the infrastructural development of the Ashanti Region, describing the area as integral to Ghana’s national progress.
He made this known during a heartfelt address at the Jubilee House when the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, paid a courtesy call that underscored the enduring collaboration between traditional authority and central government.
The visit, heavy with symbolism and substance, was used by President Mahama to not only pay homage to the Otumfuo’s enduring wisdom and leadership, but also to outline an ambitious infrastructure agenda aimed at transforming Ashanti’s economic and social landscape.
With reverence and gratitude, the President acknowledged the Asantehene’s sustained interest in development, particularly infrastructure, education, and youth empowerment.
“In my first tenure as President, we worked together to build the iconic Kejetia Market phase one and other several satellite markets in the Greater Kumasi area.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
He also referenced the expansion of the Kumasi International Airport and the initiation of critical health infrastructure, including the Sewua and Afari Military Hospitals—projects that, according to him, were unfortunately abandoned by the previous administration.
President Mahama also underscored his administration’s role in boosting education in the region by constructing several community day schools and completing the “Three Ks” water project, which provided clean water to Konongo and Kumawu.
The President also touted that his last administration constructed several roads across Kumasi and surrounding districts to facilitate trade, transport, and daily commuting.
“These projects were never acts of political tokenism;They were deliberate investments aimed at improving livelihoods and unlocking the full potential of the Ashanti Region.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Impactful Projects
Looking to the future, President Mahama announced several high-impact initiatives designed to drive regional growth. Chief among them is the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway, which he described as a “transformational project” expected to reduce travel time, ease congestion, and boost economic activity between the two largest cities.
The feasibility study and design phase of the expressway, he said, will commence soon, with hopes to break ground early next year. Another major infrastructure plan involves the Kumasi Outer Ring Road Project, a vital traffic decongestion route that will divert heavy-duty trucks from passing through the city center.
This road, looping through Ejisu and reconnecting to the Mampong and Techiman roads, according to President Mahama, is intended to preserve the inner-city infrastructure and improve transportation efficiency.
President Mahama also pledged to complete Phase Two of the Kejetia Market project, which he said had stalled due to the impact of the national debt exchange program.
Similarly, he announced the pending extension of the Prempeh International Airport runway to accommodate larger aircraft and expand air connectivity to the region.
Additionally, the Kumasi City Traffic Improvement Programme will see the completion of the Suame Interchange and associated bridges to alleviate urban traffic bottlenecks.
In the health sector, President Mahama reaffirmed his resolve to finish what his previous government started. He promised the completion of the Sewua and Afari Military Hospitals and pledged to complete the long-delayed maternity and children’s blocks at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
“These and many more projects in the roads, health, and education sectors are planned to upgrade the general infrastructure of the Ashanti Region,” he declared.
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