Concern is mounting among commuters and motorists using the Ofankor-Nsawam stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway following a fresh request by Messrs Meripoma Enterprise Limited for an extension of time to complete the ongoing road expansion and rehabilitation project.
The 33.4-kilometre project, which began in July 2022, was originally scheduled for completion in July 2024 but failed to meet that deadline. With less than two months to the revised completion target of July 2026, the contractor has indicated that the project cannot be completed within the stipulated period.
The development has triggered renewed frustration among road users who say they have endured years of severe traffic congestion, dusty and muddy conditions, damaged vehicles, and rising transport fares.
A visit by The Ghanaian Times to sections of the stretch on Wednesday, including Amasaman, Sapeiman, Sasam, Hebron, Medie and Dobro, revealed deep potholes, muddy surfaces and heavy vehicular traffic, especially during peak hours.
Commercial drivers who spoke to the paper expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the slow pace of work, noting that the recent rains had worsened conditions on the road.
A driver, Kwame Opoku, described the situation as unbearable.
“The rains have made the road very difficult to use. Travel time has more than doubled, and vehicle maintenance costs keep increasing,” he said.
Another driver, Yaw Mensah, questioned whether the contractor could realistically complete the project this year.
“Although work is ongoing, the amount of work left shows clearly that this project cannot be completed by July. The contractor should be working day and night, but you hardly see workers on Sundays,” he stated.
Mr Mensah also criticised a police barrier mounted at Dobro, alleging that it contributes significantly to traffic congestion in the area.
“We are appealing to the Inspector-General of Police to remove the barrier temporarily until the project is completed,” he added.
Commuters have also voiced concerns over the impact of the deteriorating road on their businesses and daily activities.
Madam Efua Owusu, a trader who frequently travels between Accra and Amasaman, said the poor state of the road had led to increased transport fares and disrupted trading activities.
“People spend long hours in traffic, and vehicles break down frequently because of the bad road,” she lamented.
Another commuter, Isaac Tetteh, appealed to authorities to compel the contractor to accelerate work before the rains further worsen conditions.
Meanwhile, officials supervising the project say the road is currently about 82 per cent complete.
The Chief Resident Engineer of Associated Consultants, the consulting firm overseeing the project, Mr Kwabena Bempong, confirmed that the contractor had formally requested another extension of time.
According to him, ongoing discussions will determine the duration of the extension.
Mr Bempong attributed the delays partly to compensation-related challenges affecting portions of the project.
The Resident Engineer (Roads), Mr Thomas David Arthur, said measures were being taken to reduce inconvenience to motorists.
He explained that the contractor had been carrying out maintenance works, including pothole patching, grading, shaping and compaction on unpaved sections to improve traffic flow.
Mr Arthur added that the contractor had been directed to promptly repair potholes caused by the rains to ensure smoother movement of vehicles.
He disclosed that the Pobiman flyover is expected to be opened to traffic by the end of June 2026, while the Medie flyover is expected to be completed by the end of July 2026.
He further revealed that preparations were underway for construction work to begin on the Nsawam bypass interchange following the resolution of compensation issues affecting properties within the project area.
The Ofankor-Nsawam road project forms part of the Accra-Kumasi Highway under the National Road Six (N6) network.
The project includes the construction of interchanges, flyovers, bridges and footbridges at Amasaman, Pobiman, Medie and Nsawam Junction. It also involves expanding the road into eight lanes from Ofankor to the Pokuase Interchange and 10 lanes from the Pokuase footbridge to the Nsawam bypass.
When completed, the project is expected to ease traffic congestion along the Accra-Nsawam corridor and boost transportation and economic activities within the area.