Cabinet has given approval for the establishment of an amalgamated Roads Management body to be known as the Ghana National Roads Authority. This was announced by the Minister of Roads and Highways, Hon Kwasi Amoako-Atta (MP) at a stakeholders’ consultative forum held in Capital View Hotel, Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
The Roads Minister, during his opening address, stated that the integration of the agencies was aimed at streamlining the operations and enhancing its harmonization in order to maximize the impact of investments in the Road sector. “The lack of coordination and separate mandates of the agencies has led to duplicated efforts, insufficient maintenance, inconsistent standards, and project delays”, he said.Hon Kwasi Amoako-Atta, added that, the current traffic volume and inadequate maintenance culture were some of the reasons behind the intended establishment of the Authority.
He also stated that the Ministry, together with the Attorney-General’s Department, has worked on a draft bill to be submitted to Cabinet and subsequently to Parliament for consideration and approval.
He also stated that the Ministry, together with the Attorney-General’s Department, has worked on a draft bill to be submitted to Cabinet and subsequently to Parliament for consideration and approval.
In his concluding remarks, Hon Kwasi Amoako-Atta reiterated that, the protection of our Right of way (ROW) in the country should be everyone’s concern and tasked the MMDAs to be responsible in the management of our right of way.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Hon Seth Kwame Acheampong, who chaired the workshop, indicated that bringing Departments and Agencies, within the Ministry of Roads and Highways under one umbrella, would leverage the competencies of the various agencies, and create the necessary synergies to ultimately help in the operations of the Authority.
“For us as stakeholders and end users, in any reform, our primary expectation is to have an improved way of doing business which should reflect on the condition of the Roads in our communities,” he said.
The Chief Director of MRH, Ing Alhaji, Dr. Abass Awolu who walked participants through the
Overview and Structure of the Ghana National Roads Authority specified the functions and powers that would be granted to the Authority which included: constructing and maintaining of Roads, setting technical standards, procurement, and coordination with other agencies
He also briefed participants on the organizational structure and administration of the Authority including its Board of Directors, the role and function of the Director General and his deputy.
Mr. Yaw Tweneboa-Kodua, Director of Procurement at MRH, outlined the need for establishing the National Roads Authority and Specified its role and responsibilities. He also provided details about the Authority, including its membership composition, qualifications, the appointment process, terms of office, remuneration and the reporting structure.
Participants, during the discussion session, tabled their views and suggested that, if
possible, a wider consultation be done to bring on board other agencies for better collaboration.It is expected that, the end of the 8th Parliament will see to the birth of this new Authority.