Connect with us

News

Asenso Boakye slams government for abandoning the Accra-Kumasi dualisation project

Published

on

The former Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has criticised the government’s decision to abandon the ongoing Accra-Kumasi dualisation project in favour of a new six-lane expressway.

Mr. Asenso-Boakye described the move as “misguided,” arguing that the current administration was shifting focus from a strategic and economically viable project to an undefined and unfunded one.

He said the government’s decision lacked proper planning, transparency, and continuity.

According to him, the Accra-Kumasi corridor is the country’s most critical transport link, connecting major regions including Ashanti, Bono East, Northern, North East, and Upper East.

Advertisement

He noted that Kumasi serves as a central node for travelers heading to Bono, Savanna, Upper West, Western North, and Ahafo regions.

Mr. Asenso-Boakye revealed that the dualisation project, which began under the Kufuor administration, had seen significant progress under the Akufo-Addo-led government after being neglected during the Mills/Mahama era.

He stated that over 100 kilometers of the 240km stretch had already been dualised, with an additional 46 kilometers under active construction at sites such as Anyinam, Osino, Enyiresi, and Konongo.

He added that only 94 kilometers remained to complete the project.

Advertisement

He questioned the rationale behind abandoning a project with a known cost, scope, and design, for a new expressway which, according to him, does not yet have a completed feasibility study, confirmed funding, or a clear design.

He cited an admission by the current Minister for Roads and Highways that a consultant was yet to be hired for the feasibility study.

Mr. Asenso-Boakye argued that such a decision defied logic and prudent planning, and represented a breach of Article 35(7) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates successive governments to continue projects initiated by previous administrations.

He warned that starting a new expressway would come with huge financial implications, including new compensations, environmental assessments, and procurement processes at a time when government is already struggling to fund ongoing projects across the country.

Advertisement

Responding to claims of cost overruns on the dualisation project, Mr. Asenso-Boakye said such issues were common in major infrastructure developments and can be addressed through proper contractual and legal means.

He stressed that variations should not be used as a pretext to discontinue a critical national project.

The MP emphasised that while he supports infrastructure development, it must be strategic, cost-effective, and guided by long-term national interests, not short-term political gains.

He urged the government to reconsider its decision and focus on completing the existing dualisation project to ensure value for money and continuity in national development.

Advertisement

“Ghana deserves better. Our people deserve better. Let us stay the course, not start over for political showmanship,” he stated.

By: Jacob Aggrey

News

Attorney-General to introduce new bill to regulate discipline of lawyers

Published

on

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has announced plans to introduce a new Bill to strengthen the legal framework for the discipline of lawyers in Ghana.

In an address read on his behalf by the Deputy Attorney-General at the opening of the 2026 Conference of the Ghana Bar Association, Dr. Ayine disclosed that the Bill is headed to Cabinet for review and approval before being laid before Parliament.

The proposed law, to be called the Legal Profession (Practitioners Standards Board) Bill, is expected to transform and strengthen the regulatory framework for disciplining lawyers to safeguard the rights of practitioners and promote public confidence in the profession.

According to the Attorney-General, when passed, the Bill will establish an independent Disciplinary Committee with clear rules of procedure and proposals on proportionate sanctions.

Advertisement

He explained that this marks a progressive departure from the existing framework where the Disciplinary Committee both investigates and adjudicates complaints. The Bill also proposes clear and strict procedural timelines for resolving grievances to avert prolonged deliberations that frustrate both clients and lawyers.

Secondly, Dr. Ayine noted that under the current framework, Superior Court judges sit on the Disciplinary Committee whose decisions, as quasi-judicial decisions, are subject to reviews and appeals in the same courts where these judges preside.

The new Bill seeks to eliminate this conflict of interest by creating a separately constituted Board composed of lay non-lawyers and professional representatives with guaranteed tenure.

The Attorney-General added that the Bill seeks to separate professional discipline from executive, judicial or competitive interference to ensure that disciplinary mechanisms are not weaponized against lawyers by clients, the Bench, or the State.

Advertisement

The introduction of the new law forms part of efforts by the Attorney-General to introduce reforms into the legal profession aimed at revolutionizing legal practice and training. It follows the passage of the Legal Education Act, 2026, which is currently at the implementation stage.

Continue Reading

News

Gov’t did not approve market near school — Stan Dogbe clears air on Ahafo Ano South market siting

Published

on

Deputy Chief of Staff, Stan Xoese Dogbe has reacted to a viral video raising concerns about the siting of a market close to a school in the Ahafo Ano South District of the Ashanti Region.

In a post responding to the video, Mr. Dogbe said he has been in contact with the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who he said is on top of the situation and has long since halted the construction process.

According to him, the decision to designate the said land near the school for the market was not a government decision.

“Once the development was brought to the RCC’s attention, the regional minister immediately asked that the process be stopped,” he stated.

Advertisement

Mr. Dogbe explained that the community currently has no available land space for the construction of the model market, which necessitated their choice of the location near the school.

He noted however that the community has been asked to find another, more suitable piece of land for the project to commence.

“We thank all for the interest in developmental issues in our communities,” he added.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending