The Ministry of Roads and Highways has cited ongoing court cases as the primary reason for delays in the completion of the Ofankor-Nsawam road project, which was initially slated for completion in July 2024. Due to unresolved legal disputes, the project now faces an indefinite postponement.
In an interview with Citi FM, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Nasir Ahmad Yartey, explained that the court cases have significantly slowed the contractor’s progress, particularly preventing work on critical sections of the road until the legal issues are settled.
Many of the disputes stem from property owners contesting demolitions or seeking compensation, which has extended the legal standstill and delayed the project.
Yartey noted that last year alone, over 100 court cases were filed in relation to the project, with approximately 80 cases still pending between Amasaman and Nsawam.
“The major challenge on the Ofankor-Nsawam road project is related to court cases. While we have cleared around 20 cases, about 80 still remain unresolved, which means the contractor cannot proceed with construction in some areas,” he explained. “We cannot take the law into our own hands, especially when property owners are litigating demolitions in court. There is little we can do until those matters are settled.”
The $350 million Ofankor-Nsawam road project is a key infrastructure development aimed at improving the Accra-Kumasi highway, one of Ghana’s busiest road networks. The road’s expansion and rehabilitation are expected to reduce traffic congestion, boost trade, and improve safety for commuters.
However, residents and commuters who rely on the road daily have voiced frustration over the delays. They are increasingly concerned about worsening traffic conditions and the negative economic and social impact of the prolonged construction. Many have urged the government to expedite the resolution of the court cases to allow work to resume as soon as possible.