The government of Ghana has announced plans to invest $338 million in the rehabilitation and expansion of the Tema Motorway, Nsawam, Dzorwulu, and other roads in the country. The project, which is expected to last for 36 months, will improve the road network and ease traffic congestion in the Greater Accra region and beyond.
The Tema Motorway is a vital link between the capital city and the Tema port, which handles about 80% of the country’s imports and exports. The motorway, which was built in the 1960s, has deteriorated over the years due to poor maintenance, overloading, and frequent accidents. The rehabilitation project will transform the motorway into a 10-lane dual carriageway with six interchanges, including three new ones at Community 18, Teshie Link, and Dzorwulu. The project will also include the reconstruction of the Tetteh Quarshie interchange, the construction of eight toll plazas, 10 new footbridges, and the enhancement of road traffic in Lagos town.
The Nsawam road, which connects Accra to Kumasi, is another major trunk road that suffers from poor conditions and heavy traffic. The project will rehabilitate the existing six-lane road and construct a new interchange at Neoplan station. The project will also cover the roads in Tesano, Achimota, Apenkwa, and the Liberia road to the Polo Club.
The Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, Patrick Boamah, revealed the details of the project during a briefing of journalists ahead of a joint committee of Parliament meeting over the project proposal. He said the project is a joint venture between Maripoma Limited, which will work on the Pokuase to Nsawam stretch, and Ghana Infrastructure Fund, which has set up a wholly subsidiary company to execute the project.
Boamah said the project is part of the government’s agenda to develop the country’s infrastructure and enhance regional integration and economic growth. He said the project will create jobs, reduce travel time and cost, improve safety and mobility, and boost trade and tourism.
The project is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2023, after the approval of Parliament and the completion of the procurement processes. Boamah expressed optimism that the project would be completed on time and within budget and urged the public to cooperate with the contractors and the authorities during the construction period.
The rehabilitation of the Tema Motorway and other roads is one of the several road projects that the government has initiated or completed in recent years. Some of the notable ones include the Pokuase Interchange, the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange, the Tamale Interchange, and the Tema Roundabout Interchange. The government has also secured funding for the construction of the Accra Sky Train project, which will provide a modern and fast transport system for the city.
The road sector is one of the key priorities of the government, as it contributes to the socio-economic development of the country. According to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the government has invested over $3 billion in the road sector since 2017 and has increased the paved road network from 23% to 28%. The government has also declared 2023 as the year of roads and has allocated more resources for the maintenance and construction of roads across the country.
The government’s efforts to improve the road infrastructure have been commended by various stakeholders, including the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Association of Road Contractors, and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council. They have also appealed to the government to ensure timely payment of contractors and address the challenges of land acquisition and compensation.
The rehabilitation of the Tema Motorway and other roads is welcome news for the millions of road users who have endured the hardships of traveling on these roads for years. The project will not only enhance the physical appearance of the roads but also improve the quality of life of the people. It is hoped that the project will be a model of excellence and a source of pride for the nation.
Source: GhanaWeb
