The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has announced that nine sections of the Takoradi-Accra highway road, specifically the Asem-asa N1 Highway, are in urgent need of repair due to their hazardous condition for both drivers and pedestrians.
According to the Minister, thorough assessment carried out by the Ghana Highways Authority indicates that the specific spots identified have become dangerously risky for both motorists and pedestrians using the road.
“As you all know, this road is a very important road. If you look at it from Accra to Elubo, then you can understand how important it is for trade (domestic) and international trade, because a lot of the traffic comes from Côte d’Ivoire through here to Accra and beyond, but you will also realise that our portion of this stretch, from Cape coast, is very deplorable,” he said.
He stated that the Ghana Highways Authority has briefed him sufficiently on the matter, necessitating immediate attention and action.
“In fact, at some sections of it, we have some serious potholes that have developed and posing a great danger to motorists. It also impedes free flow of traffic and so you will observe that at rush hour, you will see Inchaban, Kojokrom, and even Nkroful Junction, you will see that there is heavy traffic there, it doesn’t help,” he noted.
The Minister is collaborating with the Ghana Highways Authority to repair the specified highway sections before the rainy season peaks in a few weeks. After inspecting ongoing maintenance works.
Speaking in an interview, Minister Nelson assured motorists that he will work with stakeholders to address the affected road portions, ensuring they become safe and accessible.
According to the minister, He emphasized that repairing the deteriorated road sections is vital and inevitable due to their significance in facilitating trade activities across the West African subregion.
“I am happy to see what work has been done today. Today is the first day that they have come on the road, I believe that from Beposo side of the road, you know there are some potholes if you observe, those of you who use this road, you know that we have some challenges at Beposo,” he said.
Joseph Nelson noted that the impending rainy season could worsen the road’s already deplorable condition, which is why immediate repairs are necessary.
“This is another place where we have had a huge challenge, that’s trucks that have fallen over at this very spot, and so to see this place (Anto section) filled up, and looking smooth, I believe that is going to enhance free flow of traffic.
It’s going to help motorists ply this side of the stretch. From Cape coast, it will even be easier, it is going to make it easier for them, to travel on it, and so I am excited, that I mean today being the first day, I believe that we are going to continue all the way to be able to sort out all those areas where we have challenges” he remarked.
The road is always bustling with heavy traffic, including vehicles carrying substantial loads from neighboring countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Burkina Faso and all the other places.
Minister Joseph Nelson expressed gratitude to key stakeholders, including the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Ghana Highways Authority, and local quarry companies with Shama enclaves, like GDC Quarry, Justmark Quarry, and Coastal Quarry, for providing essential materials to repair the deteriorated Takoradi-Cape Coast Road.
He lauded the cooperation and commitment of these key stakeholders for responding timely and appropriately to his appeal which gave birth to the provisional maintenance works being carried out along the affected stretch of the road.
Emmanuel Kwesi Rockson, Western Regional Maintenance Manager of the Ghana Highways Authority, briefed the media on the ongoing repairs and expected completion timeline. He emphasized that the Minister’s intervention aims to address pressing issues on the Takoradi-Cape Coast road, including accident prevention, reducing breakdowns of heavy-duty vehicles, and minimizing unnecessary traffic congestion.
Source: Dorothy Donkor
