A significant infrastructure development is underway in Ghana as the Accra-Tema Motorway commenced its long-awaited reconstruction and expansion on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. This ambitious project, spearheaded by Maripoma Enterprise Limited, a Ghanaian-owned construction company, involves expanding the motorway into a 10-lane stretch from the Tetteh Quarshie roundabout to the Tema roundabout, covering a distance of 19.5 kilometers.
Kwasi Amoako-Attah, Ghana’s Minister of Roads and Highways, announced the initiative during a tour of ongoing road projects in Accra. The minister, along with his team, visited various sites, including drainage projects at Tema Communities 11 and 12, and the site of the Tema Motorway expansion project.
Mr. Amoako-Attah outlined that the Accra-Tema Motorway project is just the first phase of a more extensive expansion project. The second phase will extend from Tetteh Quarshie to Apenkwa, and the third phase will continue from Apenkwa to Neoplan. He stressed the government’s commitment to swift progress on the project and called for cooperation from institutions with billboards along the road, urging them to remove these as soon as possible to facilitate the construction work.
The minister expressed optimism about a transformative year for Ghana’s road infrastructure, marked by the commissioning of several completed projects. “2024 is set to be a landmark year for Ghana’s road network, with numerous projects reaching completion and improving connectivity across the country,” Mr. Amoako-Attah stated.
During his visits, Mr. Amoako-Attah was pleased with the progress of the ongoing drainage work at Tema Communities 11 and 12. He commended the contractor for the commendable progress made and stressed the importance of community engagement in such projects. “Engaging with the community before starting any project is crucial for effective cooperation,” he said, noting that most projects typically inconvenience residents.
The minister emphasized the importance of quality work and warned that any construction company delivering substandard work would face legal consequences. He expressed his concern about the attitudes of some contractors and emphasized the need for achieving value for money in government projects.
In relation to the Tema bridge, Mr. Amoako-Attah confirmed its completion and mentioned that it is one of 50 such bridges completed across the country so far.
Kingsley Attafuah, Technical Director of Raceg Construction Limited, provided an update on the Tema drainage system project, which began in July 2023. He reported that 80 percent of the work has been completed and assured Ghanaians that the project would be finished on schedule, paving the way for road construction to commence in March 2024.
The reconstruction and expansion of the Accra-Tema Motorway are part of Ghana’s broader initiative to improve its transportation infrastructure. This project is expected to ease traffic congestion, enhance road safety, and boost economic activities in the region by improving connectivity and accessibility.
The Accra-Tema Motorway, once completed, will not only serve as a critical link between two major cities but also as a symbol of Ghana’s commitment to infrastructural development and modernization. It is anticipated that the expanded motorway will significantly impact the daily lives of commuters, reduce travel time, and contribute to the overall economic growth of the region.
In conclusion, the reconstruction and expansion of the Accra-Tema Motorway represent a crucial step in Ghana’s journey towards infrastructural development and modernization. This project, once completed, is expected to bring significant benefits in terms of improved traffic flow, safety, and economic growth. It stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s road network and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
