TRANSPORT AGENDA

THE TOP TRANSPORT, ROADS AND HIGHWAY ACHIEVEMENT FOR 2009 AND 2010

1. EASTERN CORRIDOR:

Tema-Asikuma-Hohoe-Jasikan-Yendi-Nakpanduri-Kulungugu

• Hohoe -Poase Cement (50km):-Design drawings have been completed. This will be funded as part of Phase I of the Eastern Corridor project under the Chinese Funding.

• Dodo Pepesu-Nkwanta (46km):-Tenders will be re-Iaunched before the end of201 O.This project will be funded wholly by the European Union.

• Nkwanta-Bimibilla-Yendi:-A consultant has been engaged to undertake feasibility studies and detailed design of this stretch of the corridor. The studies and design are being funded by the ECOWAS Commission.

• The Brazilian US$250million credit facility which was initially meant for the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Oti River has been converted to the construction of part of the Eastern Corridor i.e. Damanko-Sakpeigu (126km)

2. CENTRAL CORRIDOR:

Accra-Kumasi-Techiman-Tamaie-Boigatanga-Paga Road

• Achimota -Ofankor:-80% of the works have been completed as against 58% completion in 2009.The expected completion date is May 201l.

• Nsawam Bypass:-49% ofthe works have been accomplished as against 17% completion in 2009.

• Nsawam -Apedwa Dualization:-At present, 25% of the works has been completed as compared to 7% in August, 2009.

• Kumasi-Techiman (Lots 1 &2):-The works have been completed

• Buipe-Tamale: -Tender Evaluation report has been submitted to the World Bank for 'no objection' before an award of contract for implementation of the works.

3. WESTERN CORRIDOR

• Elubo-Asemkrom:-SOkm out of 84km have been surveyed and designed. Tender documents are being prepared for tendering and award by the end of the year.

• Enchi-Benchema-Goaso-Sunyani:-Sections of this stretch are in a satisfactory condition. Plans are being made for reconstruction ofthe sections in poor condition.

• Sunyani-Bamboi:-Wenchi-Bamboi section has been completed.

• Wa-Han:-30km has just been awarded on contract for upgrading from gravel to bitumen surfacing.

• Tarkwa-Bogoso-Ayamfuri:- TheTender Evaluation Report has been completed and forwarded to the European Union for review. EU has provided about 83 million Euros for the works which is scheduled to commence by early 2011.

• Ayamfuri-Asawinso:-Draft Tender Documents for procurement of works have been submitted to the World Bank. Tenders are to be launched before the close of this year. The works are estimated to cost US$S2 million.

• Fufulso -Sawla:- Government has negotiated with African Development Bank for a Grant to re-construct the road. The financing arrangement is to be finalized by December 2010. Physical works will commence by June2011.

4. PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE AS AT SEPTEMBER, 2010

Ghana Highway Authority

The Ghana Highway Authority has undertaken routine maintenance on 10,947km of the trunk road network representing 98% of the approved programme. The Authority had also carried out 136 km periodic maintenance works on key sections of the trunk road network in the country. The periodic maintenance works covers re-gravelling, spot improvement and resealing.

The Ghana Highway Authority has also undertaken improvement of 68km of town roads representing 18% of approved programmme. It has also undertaken 63km of development works which represent 31 % of the approved programme.

The status of the development works and related activities which the Authority is currently undertaking are as follows:

• Assin Praso -Bekwai Road (60km) -JICA funded the contract for rehabilitation of this road was awarded to a Japanese Contractor during the second quarter of the year. Work has commenced. The project is aimed at improving access between the Central and the Ashanti Regions.

• Tetteh Quarshie -Madina Road (4.6km) -GOG funded Substantial part of the road works in respect of this project has been completed. The outstanding works include construction of interchanges at the Legon and Atomic Junctions, together with the associated slip roads. The  project is programmed to be completed by the end of 2011.

• Madina -Pantang Road -(S.6km) –BADEA funded Work is in progress on this project, though slow The challenges that have been encountered include re-Iocation of utilities and project affected persons.

• Construction ofSeven Bridges (BADEA) Construction of (7) bridges has commenced at key locations on the highway network in the country. Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) is providing funding for these bridges. The bridges are being built over rivers: Amenfueso, Birim, Asuboni and Ochi in the Eastern Region and Kalanmua, Sissili and Nanpen in the UpperWest Regions.

Some other development projects which commenced in the course of the year and are progressing steadily are as follows;

• Emergency works for the Upgrading of Ho-Adidome Road.

• Upgrading of Sogakope-Adidome, Asiekpe-Mafi Kumasi and Sogakope Secondary High School Access Road (25.0 km) In recognition of the fact that overloading accelerates the rate of deterioration of roads, the Ministry has devised an Axle Load Control Strategy to forestall premature failure of the roads under our jurisdiction. The objective of the Axle Load Control Strategy is to reduce overloading of trucks to the barest minimum.

The Ministry has constructed Fourteen (14) Permanent Weighbridge Stations (PWS) out of a total of twenty-six (26) Permanent Weighbridge Stations programmed. Contracts for private management of Permanent Weigh Stations have been awarded.

Eight (8) High Speed Weigh-In-Motion (HSWIM) stations have also been established at various locations on the national trunk road network. These devices are being employed for the production of accurate statistics on overloading. This will serves as a check on the performance of the private operators of the Permanent Weigh Stations.

We appeal to all truckers and haulers to endeavor to respect and abide by the axle-load limitation of 11.5 tons per axle. The adherence to this axle load would forestall premature failure of our roads and therefore save the country the huge amount of money that is yearly used to rehabilitate roads that have failed prematurely.

Department of Feeder Roads

The Department of Feeder Roads had carried out routine maintenance on a total of 5,149km of the feeder road network. Periodic maintenance was carried out on 514km of their network. The periodic maintenance achievement includes 156km of bituminous surfacing, 297km of spot improvement, 42km of rehabilitation and bituminous surfacing of 20km Town roads.

A total of seventeen (17) bridges were programmed for completion by December, 2010. As at September, fifteen (15) had been completed Some of the on 90 in 9 feeder road projects that are at various stages of completion include:

Ayi Mensah -Amanhria (7.2km) G/Accra Region

Katamanso -Sweden Ghana Medical Centre (7Akm) G/Accra Region

Mankessim Town Roads (4.6km) Central Region

Breman Asikuma -Baako -Anyinabrim Ph. III (9.0km) Central Region

Abor -Anyako (13.25km) Volta Region

Aprade -Trom (6km) Eastern Region

Afrancho -Ntiri -Buoho (7.2km) Ashanti Region

Bompata -Adomfeh -Juansa (75km) Ashanti Region

Sampa Town Roads (2.0km) B/Ahafo Region

Goaso Town Roada (2km) B/Ahafo Region

Tolon Town Roads (2.2km) Northern Region

Bole Town Roads (2.0km) Northern Region

Bolgatanga Town Roads (LOkm) Upper East Region

Bongo Town Roads (2.0km) Upper Est Region

Tumu Town Roads (1.6km) Upper West Region

Nadowli Town Roads (2km) Upper West Region

Asankragwua Town Roads (4.8km) Western Region

Some of the projects completed in 2010 include:

• Upgrading of Asempaneye-Adumasa Valley Farm Track and others

• Surfacing of Juaho-Twabidi Phase 11 Feeder Road

• Rehabilitation of Pokuase -Nsakyi Feeder Road

• Wamfie Town Roads

• Nsawkaw Town Roads

• Kpandai Town Roads

• Assin Fosu Town Roads

• Bridge on Pra River In. - Pra River

• Bridge on Okyimso-Mereponso-Ati Feeder Road (River Merepon)

• Bridge on Chiglinua -Doigi (River Bawpewa)

• Surfacing of Nsuaem-Kyekyewere Town Roads

The Labour-Based Technology (LBT) for road construction has been identified as a cost-effective and appropriate method of improving rural transportation, whilst addressing issues of economic development and poverty reduction.

The Ministry has decided to revamp the LBT to create employment opportunities and facilitate access of the rural population to markets and to economic and social goods and services.

Trained labour based contractors have been selected to undertake rehabilitation and spot improvement under the labour based programme. Some of the roads to be improved include:

The implementation of various programmes and projects were continued under the Department of Feeder Roads to assist our agricultural growth poles and rural communities to reduce poverty. Some of the projects include:

1. District Capital Roads Improvement Project (DCRIP) The project was initiated to facelift rural district capitals. The funding for the project totaling GHC33.2 million is provided from the Japanese Counter-Value Fund.

Sixty nine (69) Districts Capitals in all the 10 regions of Ghana are currently benefiting from the programme. The project is in three phases. It is expected that143kmoftown roads will have bituminous surface by the end of Phase III.

The beneficiary Districts for Phases 1,2 and 3 are as shown below:

Beneficiary Districts of the DCRIP under Phase 1

Beneficiary Districts of the DCRIP under Phase 2

Beneficiary Districts of the DCRIP under Phase 3

Cocoa Roads Improvement Project (CRIP)

The Ghana Cocoa Marketing Board (COCOBOD) has collaborated with the Ministry of Roads and Highways in the rehabilitation, up-grading and maintenance of roads critical to its operations, that is, vital to the haulage of cocoa to the ports for export. It must however be stated here that there is the need to expand this collaboration to deal with the full mandate of COCOBOD which covers cocoa, coffee and sheanuts.

CRIP Tranche I

The major rains of 2009 accelerated the deterioration of the road infrastructure especially the major arterial roads in the urban areas. The following emergency rehabilitation works were undertaken in Accra, Tema and Cape Coast metropolitan areas. Some of the roads include:

ACCRA

• Dansoman Highway, Guggisberg Road Extension (23.7km)

• Spintex Road and Polo Grounds Bypass (I 2km)

• Adjirigano and East Legon Roads (22.7Skm)

• Teshie Roads(ll.lkm)

TEMA

• CBD Roads, Republic and Padmore Road (I 6.5km)

• Meridian, Lumumber (Agbamami) and Beach Roads (I l.9km)

• Lashibi, Baatsonaa and Klagon Roads (8.5km)

• Kpone Main Road (6.5km)

• Tema Oil Refinery Road (3km)

• Ashiaman -Zeenu Road (4.5km)

CAPE COAST

• Fosu Lagoon Bridge repairs

• Ankaful Road Bridge Construction

• Bridge on Ekon Road

Massive Overhaul of Traffic Signals

Additionally, beginning from 2009, traffic signals in most major urban centers were completely overhauled. To ensure uninterrupted operation and reduced energy consumption, 48-hour power backups and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) technology were introduced in the following cities:

• Accra 40 out of 53 intersections have been completed;

• Kumasi -8 out of 23 intersections have been completed;

• Tema 9 out of 11 signalized intersections have been completed;

• Takoradi -all 10 signalized intersections have been completed;

• Ho -3 intersections will be overhauled and a fourth installed;

• Bolga 2 intersections have been overhauled and 4 installed;

• Bawku 1signalized intersection will be overhauled;

• Cape Coast -3 signalized intersections will be overhauled;

• Koforidua -4 signalized intersections have been completed;

• Tamale -6 signalized intersections will be overhauled;

• Techiman- 5 new intersections will be installed.

Status of development projects as at September 2010:

• Urban Transport Project (IDAlAFD/GEF): The contract for Lot 1 of the Bus Rapid Transit project involving the expansion of the Odaw bridge and construction of flyover bridges on the Graphic Road has commenced.

• Accra CBD roads Phase I (GOG): The Project was completed in May 201 O.ltwas designed to improve the traffic flow along the High Street with provision for pedestrian facilities and improved drainage. The Korle Lagoon bridge was also completed under this phase.

• Accra CBD roads Phase II (GOG) -This second phase comprises the reconstruction of the Asafoatse Nettey and Korle Lagoon roads. The project is currently ongoing at 90% completion and it is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2011.

• Kumasi Road and Urban Development Project (AFD) -Work began in June 2008 on the Oforikrom-Asokwa bypass (including an Interchange at Timber Gardens) for a period of 24 months. The project has experienced some difficulties but progress now stands at 60% as compared to 13% reported in 2009.

• Construction of Sunyani road in Kumasi (GOG) (Komfo-Anokye Hospital to Abuakwa) -Works are ongoing. Progress to date stands at 60%.

• Extension of the La-Teshie road (GOG): This project has suffered long delays due to various contractual issues. Earthworks are ongoing and progress is recorded at 20%.

TRANSPORT

• Improvement in air navigation services with installation of new equipments

• Successful liberalisation leading to influx office major airlines

• Restoration of FAA category 1 nearing completion

• Improvement of aeronautical communication

• Establishment of legal framework to regulate oil and gas industry

• Preliminary design for the expansion of Takoradi Port

• Procurement of two cranes to improve container handling

• Development of inland port at Boankra to improve container handling

• Enhancement of safe transport on Volta Lake

• Payment of arrears of retrenched railway staff

• Extension of Asaprochona Tema Rail line for commuter railway services between Accra and Tema.

• Establishment of Ghana Railway Development Authority under Act 779 to introduce Public Private Partnership in railway sector.

• Construction of3 ferries for Volta LakeTransport has begun