Following a video surfacing of sand-winning on the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, the National Security personnel in the Ashanti Region have clamped down on 15 individuals allegedly involved in the activities.
The National Security operation led to six trucks being impounded, including a wheel loader and other machines that were being used in the activities.
The arrested individuals were reportedly picked up at the Sewua–Donyina–Appiadu enclave during a swoop by some officers and have been transported to Accra for further questioning.
The National Security officers have vowed to go after other suspects who remain at large and are said to be connected to the activities.
Ing. Abdullah Hamidu, the Bosomtwe District Chief Executive, in an interview with Citi News, confirmed the development; however, he denied that the Assembly was not informed about the activity after an opinion leader at Sewua-Ayoum handed over the land to the sandwinners.
The Bosomtwe District Chief Executive further disclosed that the Assembly has called an emergency meeting with the chiefs and Assembly Members in the area to prevent further destruction to the environment and a threat to the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project.
In related news, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that $2 billion has been set aside to finance the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway.
Mahama assured Ghanaians that funding will not be a challenge once work begins.
According to John Mahama, the money, which is taxpayers’ funds, has been placed in a special account at the Bank of Ghana to ensure prompt payment to the contractor throughout the project.
President Mahama also disclosed that all certificates presented by the contractor will be paid promptly to prevent construction delays.
Mahama also directed the Minister for Roads and Highways to incorporate the Ghana Armed Forces Engineers Regiment as a major subcontractor to the main contractor for the expressway.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of a 175.6-kilometre right-of-way cleared by the Ghana Armed Forces on Monday, September 14, “And let me also announce that this is our own money. We have not gone to borrow money from anywhere. This money is the taxpayers’ money”.
Mahama stated, “When completed, as you were told, the recommended speed on the Expressway will be 120km per hour. You can drive at 120km per hour”.
“Even if he is travelling at 100km an hour, it means that the journey will take him two hours, instead of the five to six hours that we currently use on the old Accra-Kumasi highway,” President Mahama said.
Mahama emphasised that the reduced travel time would make it possible for people to commute between the two cities for business and return home the same day.
“And so Nana, when this Expressway is finished, you can leave Kumasi at 6 am, and you’ll be in Accra by 8am,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited, Engineer Francisco, has disclosed that the Accra-Kumasi Expressway will feature 8 grade-separated interchanges, 11 vehicle overpasses and 55 mainline bridges.
He disclosed that the project will cover approximately 198.7 kilometres between Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region and Sewua in the Ashanti Region.
He disclosed that 176 kilometres will be of a newly constructed expressway and about 23 kilometres upgraded connector roads at the Accra and Kumasi ends.
Engineer Francisco disclosed that the mainline will be a Class A highway with a three-lane dual carriageway on a 36-metre standard roadbed and a design speed of 120 kilometres per hour, while the connector roads will be Class B roads with a speed limit of 60 kilometres per hour.
He highlighted that the expressway will also include nine at-grade intersections, about 200 reinforced concrete box culverts and four service areas for motorists to rest, eat or attend to their vehicles.
Also, the project will further have eight tolling locations, one operating centre and two monitoring centres to enable authorities to monitor traffic.
Engineer Francisco further disclosed that the expressway will include a fire service and ambulance station, three maintenance depots, road safety systems and electromechanical works.
“When completed, this road will provide safer and more reliable transport and reduce the pressure on the N6,” Engineer Francisco stated.
Watch the video below:
@ghnow_ Part 1: National Security officers have arrested a group of people allegedly involved in illegal sand winning at Sewua along the Accra–Kumasi Highway. The arrests follow the grading of the road’s right of way by military engineers ahead of the commencement of construction works. #GHNow #GhanaNews #fyp ♬ original sound – Nkz_Lyrics & Caption – DJ NKAY HUB
@ghnow_ Part 2: National Security officers have arrested a group of people allegedly involved in illegal sand winning at Sewua along the Accra–Kumasi Highway. The arrests follow the grading of the road’s right of way by military engineers ahead of the commencement of construction works. #GHNow #GhanaNews #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Part 3: National Security officers have arrested a group of people allegedly involved in illegal sand winning at Sewua along the Accra–Kumasi Highway. The arrests follow the grading of the road’s right of way by military engineers ahead of the commencement of construction works. #GHNow #GhanaNews #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Part 4: National Security officers have arrested a group of people allegedly involved in illegal sand winning at Sewua along the Accra–Kumasi Highway. The arrests follow the grading of the road’s right of way by military engineers ahead of the commencement of construction works. #GHNow #GhanaNews #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
