Our forefathers built better roads with less education than today’s educated generation – Prof Bokpin

Professor Godfred Bokpin, an economist and finance expert, has expressed concern over the quality of road infrastructure in Ghana, stating that the nation's forefathers built more durable roads despite having less access to formal education and technical expertise. Bokpin made these remarks during a public lecture in August, drawing attention to the disparity between the quality of infrastructure constructed by previous generations and the current state of many roads in the country.

Despite significant progress in education, technology, and professional development, Bokpin questioned how Ghana has managed to produce roads that are less durable than those built by our forefathers. He emphasized that with greater education and experience, the country is now building inferior roads. Bokpin lamented the apparent contradiction, asking what went wrong and questioning whether the country's accumulated knowledge and expertise are being effectively applied to national development.

He specifically criticized the ongoing rehabilitation of the Tema-Accra motorway, expressing frustration over the extended timeline, and lamented the lack of urgency in using newly commissioned roads before they deteriorate. To address these issues, Bokpin urged a critical examination of Ghana's approach to infrastructure development, stressing the need for the available knowledge and expertise to translate into the creation of quality and sustainable projects.