The Ministry of Roads and Highways says government’s commitment to dualize the Accra-Kumasi highway is firmly on course and would soon be realised.
Work on a 45-kilometer four by-passes at Osino, Anyinam, Enyiresi, and Konongo is progressing to ease movement and reduce carnage on the highway.
Eight local contractors are currently engaged in the construction work to quicken completion.
For the 12.6km Osino bypass, 7.3km Anyinam bypass, 10km Enyiresi bypass, and 15.6km Konongo bypass, work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
“Selecting two contractors each for the bypass is to ensure work is done simultaneously and with speed for completion on time. We will provide the contractors with all the required support to deliver on time”, Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Attah assured.
The completion of the bypasses is expected to reduce travel time, vehicular traffic, and road crashes on the highway.
On all four bypasses, contractors are currently executing earthworks, clearing, treatment of swampy sections, and construction of culverts.
Kwasi Amoako-Attah, who appears satisfied with delivery after inspecting the ongoing works, said that though the country is far behind in dualizing its major highways, government has begun fixing that.
“Why at this time and age Ghana should be driving on a single carriage way on our trunk roads and highways. That’s why we continue to witness fatal accidents on our highways. Dualization in the country should’ve started years back, but it’s better late than never”, Amoako-Attah noted.
Contractors working on the Osino and Anyinam bypasses are challenged by the activities of illegal miners who have occupied the right of way of the project.
“They’re within some sections and are sitting on the right of way. We have started engaging them to move and give us way to proceed with the project”, a resident engineer, Mohammed Abu disclosed.
The Roads and Highways Ministry had begun taking steps to flush out the miners to pave way for work to continue uninterrupted.