The Boankra Inland Port is expected to start construction by August 8, 2022, according to the government, after being abandoned for approximately 20 years.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Ejisu, Samuel Oduro Frimpong disclosed during an interview with Accra-based Citi television said the project would be completed within two years.
To make way for the Boankra Inland Port project, residents of Boankra offered the government access to their properties in the early 2000s. But the locals’ hopes haven’t yet been realized.
The expected outcomes have not been achieved despite several requests to the necessary authorities, news appearances, and threats to conduct a protest exercise.
The government has assured that work will commence on the project in response to recent requests from the people, who vowed to stage a large demonstration if work did not get started on the project early as possible.
Mr. Oduro said the contractor has already started mobilizing and is moving to the site.
“I want to allay the fears of everybody, especially the indigenes of Boankra and Hwereso that this one (commencing work on the Boankra Inland Port project) is something that we are going to do. Two years ago, the President and Otumfuo cut the sod for the project.
“I understand it was going to be done by a Korean company, but maybe they had difficulties with their financial issues. So, this one has been given to a local contractor. I am sure once you go there, you will see a sign by the 8th of August, they would be starting work there and there will be no turning back, so the residents must rest assured indeed they have come to stay and to work for all of us.
“According to Mr. Isaac Affum, the CEO of the company that has been awarded the contract, he is going to use about four different contractors, and he’s been given two years to complete it. So, what it means is that it would be completed before the next election.”
The Kontihene of Boankra, Nana Kofi Akosa Adumata also stated that the traditional leaders fear the project may not be finished in time for the 2024 elections since it may be undertaken merely for political purposes.
“I will never believe this government’s promise of constructing the inland port until I see actual work being done there. He brought the Asantehene here two years ago to cut sod and even brought three different contractors for works to begin on the project, but what did we see, just deception. So coming back after two years to talk about the same project is laughable. Until we see the progress of work, we are never going to believe anything about this Inland port again,” he said.
He also added that since the government is about to start the project, those who surrendered their lands should be well-compensated.
“For 21 years now, we have not been properly compensated. So it is very worrying that we just expect them to engage us on how best we can be appeased”.
The Ejisu MCE assured the public that all persons who deserve to be compensated would be well-catered for.
