The Minister of Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwame Agbodza, has stated that modifying the Suame Interchange from a 4-Tier to a 3-Tier design, alongside the construction of the Kumasi Outer Ring Road, provides better value for money and a comprehensive solution to traffic congestion within the Greater Kumasi Metropolis.
The proposed Kumasi Outer Ring Road will commence at Atia Junction near Boankra and traverse Juaben, Kasaam, Tano Odumasi, and Ahodwo before terminating at Akom on the N10 highway.
According to the Minister, “this route offers a more efficient connection between the N10 at Akom and the N6 at Boankra, significantly reducing travel time for vehicles moving between the northern and southern sectors of the country”.
Minister Agbodza made these remarks during a press conference held this afternoon. The briefing was organized in response to statements made by Hon. Asenso Boakye, who criticized the design change as a “disservice to Kumasi and Ghana.”
“The construction of the Kumasi Outer Ring Road will divert the majority of north-bound traffic away from the city centre. As a result, the Suame area will require less capacity than was initially projected,” the Minister clarified.
The Minister further explained that the modification was essential to avoid high compensation costs for lands and properties that were not accounted for in the project’s original budget.
Impacted properties would have included two-story commercial buildings along Suame Road, the Suame Police Station, and a portion of the Kumasi Mall.
Hon. Agbodza further noted the logistical challenges posed by existing infrastructure along the 4th-Tier alignment.
“There is a critical need to relocate essential utilities, including water and electricity lines, at the Krofrom and Abrepo intersections. A conservative estimate suggests that the compensation and relocations would cost more than 50% of the total construction cost of the original four-tier design,” he stated.
Addressing the financial constraints of the project, the Minister indicated that full funding became unavailable following Ghana’s debt default and subsequent engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
As a result, President Mahama has authorized the Suame Interchange to be incorporated into the “Big Push” Programme to ensure its successful completion.
“As the nation’s second-largest city, Kumasi deserves the best infrastructure. Beyond the works at Suame, the government is also completing the Inner Ring Road from Asokwa to Sofoline, as well as the Ahodwo Roundabout to Daban section of the Melcom road,” Hon. Agbozda assured.
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