Parliamentary Committee Reports Steady Progress on Key Road Projects in Greater Accra

A monitoring exercise by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport has revealed encouraging progress on several major road infrastructure projects across the Greater Accra Region, despite persistent challenges.

Led by Committee Chairman Hon. Isaac Mensah Adjei, the team toured ongoing road construction and rehabilitation sites as part of efforts to assess the state of development and identify bottlenecks to completion.

Major Projects Show Momentum

Among the highlights of the visit was the Flowerpot Interchange, which was substantially completed in March 2024 by the Department of Urban Roads. The project, which began in March 2017, had faced multiple delays over the years but now stands as a significant milestone in Accra’s urban transport development.

Another key focus was the Accra-Tema Motorway Expansion Project, which commenced on March 21, 2024. Currently at 20% completion, the project is expected to be finalized by August 2, 2027. Once completed, it will feature a 10-lane interchange, 10 pedestrian footbridges, and 26 culverts. However, utility relocation, particularly ECG poles, compensation issues, and potential interference with water lines continue to pose challenges.

Site Visits Reveal Ongoing Issues

The committee also visited the Tema Motorway-Dawhenya Road and the Ashaiman-Afienya Road projects. Both are under active construction, though the Ashaiman-Afienya Road has seen slower progress due to several issues, including delays in compensation payments, the need to relocate utilities, and resettlement hurdles.

Initiated in May 2022, the Ashaiman-Afienya project is currently 51% complete and is expected to be delivered by December 2024. It also includes the construction of 11 pedestrian footbridges to enhance safety for local residents.

Challenges Persist Despite Progress

While the committee expressed satisfaction with the advancements made, it emphasized that financial bottlenecks, utility relocation complications, and land-related disputes must be addressed to avoid further delays. The lawmakers noted that timely funding and coordination among stakeholders were key to ensuring the successful delivery of these critical infrastructure projects.

The monitoring exercise reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to keeping the government accountable and ensuring that ongoing road projects meet their timelines and serve the needs of the public.