The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei-Mensah, has announced a GH₵80 million road rehabilitation programme targeting 120 kilometres of feeder roads across 15 districts in the Ashanti Region.
The programme, funded through a combination of the District Assemblies Common Fund and a World Bank rural infrastructure grant, will prioritise roads connecting farming communities to major markets.
"Bad roads are killing our farmers' livelihoods. Produce rots before it reaches the market. This programme will change that," the Minister said at a press briefing in Kumasi.
The districts to benefit include Kwabre East, Afigya Kwabre, Ejisu, Juaben, Bosomtwe, Atwima Kwanwoma, and Ahafo Ano South, among others. Construction is expected to begin within 60 days following the completion of procurement processes.
The Ghana Road Fund has confirmed the allocation, and the Department of Feeder Roads will supervise all works. Community accountability committees will be established in each district to monitor progress and report irregularities.
Local contractors have been given preference in the bidding process, in line with the government's local content policy. The Minister urged contractors to maintain quality standards, warning that substandard work would result in contract termination.
The announcement has been welcomed by farmers and traders who have long complained about the poor state of rural roads. The Ashanti Farmers Association described it as "a step in the right direction" but called for a more comprehensive long-term road maintenance strategy.
