Sampa, a lively town in the Bono Region, encapsulates the struggles of countless rural communities in Ghana: deplorable roads and unreliable internet connectivity.
During his campaign tour, Alan Kyerematen, leader and presidential candidate of the Afrafranto Movement, experienced the harsh reality of Ghana’s crumbling road infrastructure.
Reflecting on his journey, Alan remarked, “Traveling on the roads in Sampa, I couldn’t help but recall the numerous bad roads I’ve encountered across the country.
It’s heartbreaking to see how we’ve allowed parts of our nation to fall into such neglect.”
A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said Ghana faced a monumental infrastructure challenge.
With over 94,203 kilometers of road networks, the country needed $12 billion to address maintenance backlogs and pave roads.
However, the government can only provide 38% of the required funding, leaving the majority of the roads in disrepair.
This funding gap has hindered development, particularly in rural areas, and widened inequalities.
According to Mr. Kyerematen, his Great Transformational Plan (GTP) provides a groundbreaking solution to this crisis.
“We cannot continue to rely solely on borrowing to finance infrastructure. At this rate, we will never catch up,” Alan stated, advocating innovative financing and private-sector participation to address the deficits.
He stated that, under his government, private-sector involvement in the road sector will be pivotal. Alan proposes ownership models such as Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPCF), which allow private companies to finance and manage road construction projects efficiently.
A revamped road tolling system will ensure fair returns for investors while guaranteeing high-quality highways and trunk roads.
To empower local contractors, Alan’s plan includes medium-to-long-term financing for two contractors in every district.
This initiative will enable them to acquire the equipment needed for urban and feeder road maintenance, creating jobs and ensuring sustainable infrastructure development.
Additionally, infrastructure bonds with attractive yields will be issued to fund high-income-generating projects, while the Ghana Road Fund will be used exclusively for maintaining non-viable roads in rural areas.
Beyond roads, Alan emphasized that his plan addressed the glaring gaps in Ghana’s internet infrastructure.
“Communities like Sampa suffer from weak and unreliable connectivity, affecting businesses, students, and government services”, he remarked. He said his vision includes establishing 100,000 internet hotspots nationwide to provide uninterrupted satellite connectivity, ensuring equitable access for all.
Mr. Kerematen reiterated how the GTP emphasizes balanced development, prioritizing rural areas alongside urban centres.
Alan’s plan also involves partnerships with foreign entities to enhance local capacity for infrastructure delivery and support for research institutions to develop cost-effective, innovative solutions using local materials.
The impact of these policies will be transformative. Improved roads and reliable internet will enable farmers to transport goods efficiently, students to access uninterrupted online education, and businesses to thrive in a seamless digital ecosystem.
Alan Kyerematen’s Great Transformational Plan offers a comprehensive and sustainable path to solving Ghana’s infrastructure crisis.
His call for collaboration between the government and private sector represents a bold departure from the reliance on borrowing.
“We must act decisively to ensure no part of Ghana is left behind. My plan provides the roadmap to a future where all citizens can benefit from world-class infrastructure,” Alan affirmed.
As Alan continues his campaign, his commitment to bridging Ghana’s infrastructure gap resonates with communities longing for change. With his leadership, the dream of better roads and seamless connectivity may finally become a reality.
