GOVT TO HONOUR PHILANTHROPIST (Back Page)

Story: Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Ntotroso

A Ghanaian philanthropist and contractor who spent over ¢11.3 billion from his own resources to modernise roads in the town of Antwikrom, on the Ntotroso-Acherensua road in the Brong Ahafo Region, has been listed for state honour.
The promise of a state honour was made by President J.A. Kufuor to Mr Joseph Adom, Managing Director of J. Adom Limited, a Sunyani-based construction company, which has also completed a first-class road project from Sunyani through Ntotroso to Acherensua.
The President was full of commendation for the patriotism shown by the contractor, who spent the amount of ¢11.3 billion to repair the roads in Antwikrom, although it was not part of his contract.
“The government is highly grateful for this unusual show of patriotism and at the appropriate time, will show its appreciation with a state honour,” President Kufuor assured Mr Adom.
President Kufuor made the promise when he addressed a well-attended ceremony at Antwikrom, near Sunyani, that preceded the official inauguration of the 48.3-kilometre Sunyani-Ntotroso-Acherensua road which was constructed at a cost of about ¢100 billion.
During the ceremony, it came to light that before the modification, about 17 accidents had occurred at a sharp curve of the road which claimed a total of 20 lives but since the modification, which involved road safety signs and crash-barriers, no death had been recorded in the area.
The project took 36 months to complete and was jointly financed by the German Government and the Government of Ghana.
The President noted with concern that there were many contractors in the country who after collecting their mobilisation money, used it to buy luxury cars and then abandoned the project awarded them, thereby causing hardship to residents in the project area and financial loss to the state.
He indicated that the inauguration of the Sunyani-Ntotroso-Acherensua road was a tacit demonstration by the government that good and safe roads were sine qua non for the speedy socio-economic development of the country.
He said since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was given the mandate to direct the affairs of the country in 2001, the government had simply demonstrated that, given the relative peace and the resolve of Ghanaians to put their shoulder to the wheel in development, Ghana would gradually become a structurally beautiful country with modern road infrastructure to enhance socio-economic development.
“We are proud to be associated with these road developments, which include Abuakwa-Bibiani, Mallam-Kasoa-Ankamu, Ankamu-Yamoransa, Konongo-Kumasi, Kpando-Worawora-Dambai Phase II, the dualisation of Pantang-Peduase Lodge, Tema-Sogakope and Bole-Tinga,” he said.
The President further expressed the gratitude of the government and people of Ghana to all the development partners and hard-working contractors and consultants for their support, dedication and contribution towards the development of the road sector.
However, “I will wish to caution the Ministry of Transportation to ensure the need to strengthen the maintenance of its road infrastructure in order to obtain the full benefits of the huge investments made in them”.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, in his welcoming address, noted that farmers along the road had experienced a lot of inconveniences travelling on the road with their farm produce before the construction of the road, adding that “the road was virtually a death trap with its numerous dangerous hills”.
Besides, he said, since the creation of the Brong Ahafo Region in 1959, there had not been any direct link between the Brong and Ahafo parts of the region as travellers had to go to Goaso, Mim and beyond, through Tepa.
The Omanhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawire II, who chaired the function, expressed his gratitude to the government for the project.