The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, with support from the presidency and the Ministry of Roads and Highways, has initiated a comprehensive road improvement project within the Ashaiman municipality.
The ongoing road rehabilitation is aimed at alleviating traffic congestion, enhancing accessibility and generally making the roads safer and more efficient for everyone within the municipality.
The project, which encompasses both inner roads and major roads, is part of a larger infrastructure development plan designed to boost economic activity and improve the quality of life for residents.
The ongoing roadworks include resurfacing, widening, and the construction of new drainage systems to address issues of poor road conditions and flooding.
Mr Freeman Tsekpo, Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), speaking to the media after visiting some of the road sites, expressed gratitude for the support of President John Dramani Mahama and Mr Kwame Agbodza, the Minister of Roads and Highways.
Mr Tsekpo highlighted that the project’s initial phase would focus on upgrading 10 kilometres of roads, with a total of 166 kilometres of roads in Ashaiman to be touched.
He stated that the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly aims to apply bitumen to the majority of the roads within the four-year tenure of the current government.
He said while the people of Ashaiman were awaiting the application of bitumen, the assembly had initiated a plan to maintain the roads using the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) machines to ensure they remained motorable.
The MCE assured residents that after the rainy season, all roads would be reshaped to address damages caused by water drainage issues, adding that “Contractors will then begin applying bitumen where necessary.”
Mr Ernest Henry Norgbey, Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, acknowledged the widespread complaints from motorists and pedestrians about the deplorable road network in the area.
Mr Norgbey bemoaned that there were currently no motorable roads in Ashaiman, highlighting the need for intervention and stating that the ongoing project was a starting point to fulfilling a promise made to the residents.
The MP revealed that discussions with the Minister of Roads and Highways have taken place, with the minister visiting the area to witness the severity of the situation firsthand.
“The project includes paving most of the T-junctions and junctions of major roads, which were originally constructed under the NDC government,” he explained.
According to the MP, the roads which were 95 per cent complete in 2016 remained uncompleted; therefore, the current project aims to complete them and install pavement blocks at all junctions.
“Several road projects have already been awarded on contract, including sections from Afariwa to Newtown Junction, from the traffic light to Kantamanso, and various inner roads within the community,” he noted and urged the government to continue its support to transform Ashaiman.
“The upgrade will also include paving junctions to improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians, particularly from the Tulaku junction to the Lashibi area; the Ashaiman roundabout and the area leading to the under Bridge will also be repaired and completed; additionally, all streetlights will be fixed,” he elaborated.
The MP confirmed that the major road upgrades are expected to be completed within three months, according to the contractor.