President John Dramani Mahama has reminded contractors working on the Ofankor-Nsawam road project that government will hold them to their June 2026 completion deadline.
The President gave the caution when he inspected ongoing works on the key arterial road yesterday, during which he described the project as critical because it links Accra and Kumasi, the nation’s two largest cities.
He stressed that years of delay had worsened hardships for commuters while raising concerns about financial accountability.
“A loan was taken for this project and I don’t understand why the money is finished but the project is not over. We are now having to pay an additional GH¢78 million from government funds. We need to find out what really happened, whether the estimates were wrong or something else went wrong,” President Mahama quizzed.
While acknowledging improvements in traffic flow in recent weeks, he urged the contractor to manage the site effectively to minimise disruption.
“So we will hold you to your word. You say by the end of the second quarter next year, you should be finished,” he warned.
The President further noted that the project now falls under the government’s Big Push programme, with GH¢14 billion allocated this year and GH¢30 billion projected for next year to guarantee funding stability. He reminded the contractor to deliver value for money.
“As the government commits to pay you well, you too must commit to move faster on the road and also use quality materials. Your company is one of the well-known road construction companies in Ghana, and so we hope this project will reflect the quality of your brand,” he said.
The Ofankor-Nsawam road project began in July 2022 under the Akufo-Addo administration, with an initial completion date of July 2024.
However, funding setbacks have forced repeated extensions, sparking protests by drivers and residents frustrated by prolonged congestion and environmental concerns.
By Ernest Kofi Adu