The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has publicly contested Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration’s assertion that it had built more than 12,000 km of roads throughout Ghana.
Mahama expressed doubts about this figure’s accuracy, pointing out that the government’s claim is not supported by any obvious evidence.
At a campaign rally in the Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfrom constituency, Mahama promised that his administration would carry out an audit to confirm the legality of these road construction projects should the NDC win back power.
He also criticized the state of road infrastructure nationwide, arguing that the government’s claims are inconsistent with the conditions on the ground.
In a sarcastic remark, Mahama speculated that perhaps the roads could only be found in President Akufo-Addo’s hometown of Kyebi.
“Everywhere I go, every traditional ruler who has spoken has complained about the poor road network. And I am saying that the NPP says that in the eight years of [John Agyekum] Kufuor, he did 3000 and something kilometers of roads. In NDC, they say we did 4,700 kilometers of roads. And they alone have done 12,000 kilometers of roads.
“And the question I am asking is, where are those roads? Because everywhere I go, the main complaint is about the road network. So I don’t know [where the roads are].
“Well, I have not been to Abuakwa and Kyebi, where the president comes from. But I hear the roads [there] are very good so maybe that is where the 12,000 kilometers of roads are.
“And so when we come, the new roads they said they have done, I will audit them to find out where the money that has been paid for 12,000 kilometers of roads has gone because we can’t find those roads.”