A heated exchange erupted in Parliament on Wednesday between Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Governs Agbodza and his predecessor, Francis Asenso-Boakye, during the debate on the Mid-Year Budget Review.
The clash began when Asenso-Boakye criticised the government’s Big Push agenda, describing it as a “mere political gimmick.” He further accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of dishonesty, citing inconsistencies in records on road infrastructure under various administrations.
“With the greatest of respect, this so-called push is neither balanced nor big nor strategic. I say this because I strongly believe it’s just a political programme rather than an economically efficient one,” the Bantama MP said.
He alleged that road projects were skewed toward certain regions, neglecting areas such as Greater Accra and the Ashanti Region.
“For me, that is not fair to the country. That is not strategic. You build roads where there are people—densely populated communities. You build roads to connect economic centres that will drive development and growth.
“Basic economic theory teaches us that when resources are scarce and we’re financially constrained, we must prioritise. If my opponents don’t understand this, I don’t know what else they’ll understand,” he added.
Responding to the criticism, Minister Agbodza strongly rebutted Asenso-Boakye’s assertions.
“You issued a statement suggesting we’re rubbishing President Akufo-Addo’s record of 10,800 kilometres. But you weren’t here when he stood in this House and claimed, ‘We have built 10,800 kilometres of new roads.’ I fact-checked him—what the President said was untrue. He never built 10,800 kilometres of new roads,” Agbodza fired back.
He also took issue with Asenso-Boakye’s regional focus. “My brother, you have been a road minister for the Republic of Ghana. But all your examples appear as if you haven’t been to any other region. It doesn’t reflect well,” he said.
Source: Ohene Amponsah
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