A road project in Techiman Municipality, funded partly by oil revenue, remains incomplete despite being reported as 99% finished. The “Upgrading of Hansuah Roads and Links” project, which began in 2012, has not reached its intended starting point, raising concerns.
During a monitoring visit by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) and the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ), officials from the Techiman Municipal Assembly and Urban Roads Department provided differing explanations for the delay. Some areas, like Fante Newtown and Nyame Tease, have completed roads, but a neglected drainage system was found in disrepair.
Nana Apenteng Fosu Gyeabour II, the Chief of Hansuah, claimed that only gravel had been laid on two road links in his area and said he was unaware of the oil-funded project. Ernest Boom, the Maintenance Engineer for Urban Roads, explained that the project was initially designed to link other roads, with plans to eventually connect them to Hansuah. He confirmed that the road project had reached 65% completion.
Former Municipal Chief Executive Alex Kyeremeh, who lobbied for the project, stated that the road was intended to ease traffic from Kumasi to the northern regions. He was unaware that oil revenue was used for the project.
PIAC, tasked with ensuring transparency in the use of oil funds, continues to monitor the project’s progress.
