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Preparatory works for Kumasi Inner Ring Road project started under NPP – Minority
The Minority in Parliament has clarified that the Kumasi Inner Ring Road Improvement Project was started under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, not the current government.
In a statement issued on October 5, 2025, the Ranking Member on the Roads and Transportation Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, explained that the project began with preparatory works and discussions with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as far back as March 2024 under the NPP government.
He said that technical assessments, project plans, and talks on financing had all been completed before the change of government.
The Minority commended the current administration for continuing the project, saying it shows a commitment to sustain projects that benefit citizens.
According to the statement, the project is part of a wider plan to dualize the entire Kumasi Inner Ring Road. It includes the Southern Bypass, which will receive grant support from the Government of Japan, and the Western Bypass, which will be handled under the Sunyani Road Phase 2 project.
The Minority added that the main aim of the project is to improve road capacity, reduce traffic, and enhance safety.
They urged the current government to continue and complete all major road projects started by the NPP, including the Suame Interchange, the Sunyani Road Phase 2, and the Konongo Bypass.
They stressed that what matters most to the people of Kumasi and the Ashanti Region is progress, delivery, and better infrastructure, not political credit.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minority in Parliament has strongly objected to any planned merger or partnership between the government and Telecel, describing the deal as “technically, operationally, and financially unconscionable.”
Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Matthew Nyindam, raised the concern during a media briefing in Parliament.
He questioned why both the Minister of Communications and Telecel would publicly announce a merger and then suddenly go silent on the matter.
“We object to any deal with Telecel by way of merger, absorption, or acquisition. This is a scheme to dispose of a national asset to fill private pockets,” Mr. Nyindam stated.
He argued that Telecel has not demonstrated any special technical or operational expertise that staff and management of AT (formerly AirtelTigo) do not already possess.
According to him, Telecel had earlier promised to invest $500 million after acquiring Vodafone Ghana but failed to do so, a situation he fears could repeat itself if the government allows another deal.
Mr. Nyindam claimed that Telecel was already indebted to the tune of $400 million, adding that the company only seeks to benefit from AT’s over three million customers to expand its own base without making any real investment.
“The government must not surrender the capacity of a state-owned company to a private entity through majority ownership. There is no clear plan to protect the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of workers,” he stressed.
The Minority Caucus is therefore calling on the government to halt any discussions or agreements with Telecel regarding the proposed merger, insisting that the deal is not in the national interest.
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bryan Acheampong, has called for an emergency 90-day suspension of all forms of mining in Ghana to help restore polluted rivers and water bodies.
He made the call during his campaign tour, where he engaged party members and residents on issues of national concern, including security, the environment, and responsible mining.
Mr Acheampong explained that the temporary ban should take place during the rainy season to allow the environment to recover naturally while the nation rethinks its mining practices.
“Let’s clear our water bodies and engage on how we can go back to mining. I’m not talking about a state of emergency, but mining, regardless of where, should stop now for the next 90 days,” he said.
He warned that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to poison food sources and destroy farmlands, posing a major threat to public health and food security.
“If our food systems are being poisoned and we just look on because we prefer to make money, our people will not be around in a very short time to address the situation,” he cautioned.
Mr Acheampong urged government, miners, and local leaders to use the proposed 90-day period to develop a sustainable framework for responsible mining that protects both livelihoods and the environment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
