Suame Interchange: Agbodza defends scope change

Roads Minister Governs Kwame Agbodza says redesigning the Suame Interchange to three tiers will cut costs and still resolve long-standing traffic congestion.

The Minister rejected claims that scaling down the project from an original four-tier design would undermine its effectiveness, stressing that the revised plan remains robust and fit for purpose.

According to him, the redesign balances engineering efficiency, cost control and social impact.

“The modifications will allow us to save those buildings and those businesses to thrive while offering a new first-class concrete road from Akom on the N1 to Boankra on the N6,” Mr Agbodza said during a media engagement on Monday.

He dismissed suggestions that the project had been reduced to a two-tier interchange, explaining that the current proposal still maintains three tiers.

“I disagree that reducing the scope from a four tier to what is being proposed, which is a three tier, not a two tier, will fail,” he stated.

Mr Agbodza explained that the only major element removed from the original design was the fourth-tier bridge, a decision driven by cost and the scale of demolitions required.

“This is not being done in isolation. In fact, the only portion of the original design being eliminated is the fourth-tier bridge, as expropriation impact does not make it worthwhile,” he said.

He revealed that retaining the four-tier structure would have significantly increased the project cost and displaced several properties.

The Roads Minister noted that maintaining the initial design would have required extensive demolitions and an additional expenditure of about GH¢100 million, making a review unavoidable.

Beyond cost savings, Mr Agbodza said the redesigned interchange would still deliver on its core purpose. He maintained that once completed, the project would exceed expectations in easing congestion in the Suame area, one of the busiest transport hubs in Kumasi.

The project, he said, would deal decisively with what he described as “the traffic challenges” that commuters and businesses face daily.

The Suame Interchange forms part of a broader road infrastructure strategy aimed at improving connectivity between major national highways, particularly the N1 and N6 corridors.

The government argues that the revised design offers better value for money while minimizing disruption to livelihoods in the project area.

Mr Agbodza insisted that technical assessments support the three-tier configuration and urged the public to judge the project based on outcomes rather than the number of tiers.

He said the focus remains on delivering a durable, high-capacity interchange that supports economic activity and long-term urban mobility.