The Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Governs Kwame Agbodza has addressed concerns raised over the modification of the Suame Interchange in Kumasi, emphasizing that the changes are part of a broader plan to improve road infrastructure in the region and across the country.
Speaking at a press conference alongside the Deputy Minister Hon Alhassan Suhuyini, Chief Director, directors of Highways and Feeder Roads, and other senior officials, Minister Agbodza stressed that the government under President Muhammad remains committed to fulfilling its infrastructure promises without political interference.
The clarification follows a statement issued by former Minister and Member of Parliament, Hon. Asenso Boakye, accusing the government of downgrading the Suame Interchange from a four-tier to a two-tier project, a move he described as a “disservice to Kumasi and Ghana.”
Hon. Agbodza countered that the modification is both deliberate and strategic, noting that the revised design reduces the interchange to a three-tier structure, not two, while preserving its functionality.
The decision, he explained, is influenced by several practical factors, including high expropriation costs, potential displacement of buildings, and ongoing construction of the Kumasi Outer Ring Road.
“The original four-tier design, though not arbitrary, faced significant financial and logistical constraints, including costs for property compensation, utility relocation, and potential demolition of key structures such as the Swami Police Station and parts of the Garden City Mall,” he said.
“The modifications being undertaken will save these properties, minimize disruption, and offer better value for money.”
According to the Minister, the Kumasi Outer Ring Road, which has already commenced under the government’s “Big Push” program, will divert much of the northbound traffic away from the city centre.
This development reduces the capacity requirements at the Suame Interchange while enhancing connectivity between the northern and southern regions of Ghana.
Hon. Agbodza also highlighted that the government is simultaneously completing other road projects in Kumasi, including the Inner Ring Road from Asokwa to Sofoline and the Melcom Road section from Ahojo Roundabout to Daban, ensuring a comprehensive upgrade of the city’s road network.
“The former Minister prioritized projects that did not directly benefit the nation’s road network. Had the funds used for other ventures, such as the cathedral, been invested in critical infrastructure like the Suame Interchange, we would not be facing these challenges today. That is the key difference between NPP and NDC priorities. The Suame Interchange project is being enhanced in light of new developments within Greater Kumasi,” he said. “Upon completion, Ghanaians will appreciate the project in its entirety. Kumasi, as the second-largest city in the country, deserves the best, and that is exactly what this government is delivering.”
The Minister is urging Ghanaians to view the project modifications in context, emphasizing that roads are not political tools but vital infrastructure serving the nation’s
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
