Concerns are rising among commuters and drivers along the Ofankor-Nsawam stretch of the Accra-Kumasi Highway as Meripoma Enterprise Limited requests a second extension to complete the ongoing road expansion and rehabilitation project.
The 33.4-kilometre project, which started in July 2022 and was originally scheduled for completion in July 2024, has already missed its initial deadline. With less than two months remaining before the new July 2026 deadline, the contractor has indicated that finishing the project on time is not feasible.
A visit by The Ghanaian Times to several parts of the road, including Amasaman, Sapeiman, Sasam, Hebron, Medie, and Dobro, revealed worsening road conditions marked by deep potholes, muddy surfaces, and severe traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.
Commuters and commercial drivers expressed frustration over the slow progress, with some blaming recent rains for exacerbating the poor state of the road.
Kwame Opoku, a commercial driver, described the road as “almost unbearable” since the rains began, stating that travel time has more than doubled, affecting his business and vehicle maintenance costs.
Yaw Mensah, another driver, doubted the project’s timely completion:
“This contractor is not serious. The pace of work could have been faster if they worked day and night. You hardly see them on Sundays. Even the number of people working every day shows that the contractor is playing with our lives,” he said.
Mensah also criticized a police barrier at Dobro, claiming it causes unnecessary traffic and called on the Inspector General of Police to remove or relocate it temporarily.
Traders and commuters lamented the impact of the deteriorating road on transport fares, health, and daily activities. Madam Efua Owusu, a frequent traveler between Accra and Amasaman, said transport costs have surged and vehicles frequently break down due to poor road conditions.
Officials supervising the project have stated that the road is currently 82% complete. Mr. Kwabena Bempong, Chief Resident Engineer of Associated Consultants, confirmed that the contractor formally requested another extension, citing various delays including compensation challenges.
Resident Engineer Mr. Thomas David Arthur assured that maintenance works such as pothole filling and grading are ongoing to ease traffic flow and mitigate inconvenience.
He also disclosed that the Pobiman flyover is expected to open by the end of June 2026, and the Medie flyover by the end of July 2026. Preparations for construction of the Nsawam bypass interchange will begin once compensation issues are resolved.
The Ofankor-Nsawam project, part of the National Road Six (N6) corridor, includes eight-lane expansions and construction of interchanges, flyovers, bridges, and footbridges aimed at easing congestion and boosting economic activity along the route.
Completion of this vital infrastructure is critical to improving transportation and commerce between Accra and Kumasi.
