The Amasaman–Medie part of the Ofankor–Nsawam highway was blocked for greater than 15 hours from Thursday night to late Friday, leaving 1000’s of commuters, long-distance travellers and heavy-duty vans stranded in an enormous gridlock.
Automobiles travelling between Accra and the Northern Area, in addition to different Sahelian neighbouring nations, have been caught within the standstill, unable to maneuver for your complete interval. Many passengers heading in the direction of the Medie stretch have been compelled to stroll from Satellite tv for pc or resort to industrial motorbikes (Okada) to succeed in their locations.
These unable to search out various transport, significantly long-distance travellers and drivers, have been pressured to spend the night time on the highway.
The disruption occurred when two articulated vans loaded with items overturned and blocked the highway at Satellite tv for pc.
This incident created a backlog of site visitors stretching to Amasaman on either side. From about 5:00 p.m. on Thursday till late Friday, no vehicular motion was potential.
It was solely at 10:00 a.m. on Friday that the highway was cleared to permit site visitors to stream.
Nevertheless, even after the obstruction was eliminated, site visitors moved at a snail’s tempo as a result of poor state of the highway and the heavy congestion.
Giant potholes have developed alongside the stretch, some turning into ‘gullies’, whereas swimming pools of water have collected in sure sections, making journey tough and harmful.
This reporter, who resides at Gakorpe close to Doboro, was additionally caught within the gridlock and needed to spend the night time on the highway.
Some industrial minibuses (trotro) and smaller autos that acquired wind of the blockade earlier diverted by way of adjoining communities earlier than rejoining the primary highway to both enter or exit Accra.
A number of drivers who spoke to the Ghanaian Instances expressed frustration on the state of affairs and appealed to the federal government to launch funds for the contractor to renew work on the highway.
An articulated truck driver, Philip Mensah, transporting cement, lamented: “I’ve by no means slept on this part of the highway earlier than, however right here I’m. I’ve to ship this consignment earlier than the top of the day, and look , I’m caught in the midst of the highway.”
A gas tanker driver, Michael Ansah, expressed concern for his security. “I’m fearful as a result of the product I’m carrying is flammable and may catch fireplace simply,” he stated.
One other driver, Evans Appiah, who was transporting perishable items, feared his consignment may go to waste.
“The merchandise want refrigeration, and any delay will spoil them. The federal government should pay the contractor so work can proceed,” he appealed.
A Taxi driver, Emmanuel Ofori additionally recounted how a routine journey changed into a nightmare.
“I used to be simply dropping a buyer at Medie, solely to move the night time on the highway.” he stated.
Work on the 33.4-kilometre worldwide highway linking Ofankor to Nsawam, a part of the Accra–Kumasi highway (Nationwide Route 6), has stalled. The contractor, Maripoma Enterprise Restricted, which is endeavor the $346.5 million venture, has moved its tools from the venture website at Amasaman.
The venture, which commenced in July 2022 and was initially anticipated to be accomplished in 2024, was granted an extension to Might 2025. Nevertheless, the contractor is now not on website, and work has come to a halt.
When accomplished, the highway is predicted to ease site visitors congestion on the Accra–Nsawam route, increase socio-economic actions alongside the hall, and facilitate commerce between Ghana and its Sahelian neighbours comparable to Burkina Faso, Mali and Nigeria.
Within the meantime, commuters and drivers on the route proceed to endure extreme delays and dangerous driving circumstances, with Thursday’s incident serving as one more reminder of the pressing want for the completion of the venture.
FROM KINGSLEY ASARE, SATELLITE
