Last weekend, my family and I embarked on what was supposed to be a smooth trip to attend my late grandmother’s memorial service in Winneba. What should have been a straightforward one-and-a-half-hour journey from Sakumono turned into a frustrating three-hour ordeal — all due to the terrible condition of the road from Budumburam to the Ayensu River bridge.

Our vehicle, a Land Cruiser, bounced violently over deep potholes and makeshift gutters. At several points, we were forced to slow down to a walking pace. On two occasions, we even had to turn around and approach the oncoming lane, improvising with different driving tactics just to move forward.

The stretch from Budumburam to Winneba is currently under reconstruction — which, in theory, should be a step in the right direction.

Unfortunately, the situation on the ground tells a different story. There were no road signs to direct traffic, no visible indicators showing which routes to avoid or follow. Drivers were left to navigate blindly, creating confusion and congestion.

Even Google Maps, which we relied on for real-time directions, was unaware of the recent roadblocks. It continued to guide us along paths that were either inaccessible or completely blocked by construction trucks and heaps of sand. With no accurate information available, we had no choice but to depend on instinct and observation — and in some cases, sheer luck.

We hit that stretch of road at around 3:45 a.m., only to be caught in an unbelievable traffic jam caused by long-haul trucks and buses.

To make matters worse, it had rained earlier that night, worsening already treacherous road conditions. At one point, we were forced to divert through narrow roads in nearby settlements, as the main route was entirely obstructed.

Beyond the physical discomfort and risk of vehicle damage, the psychological stress was overwhelming. It was heartbreaking to see drivers of commercial vehicles stranded, arguing in frustration as nothing moved. Everyone was simply trying to make it through.

The state of the road is more than a personal inconvenience — it is a serious public safety and economic issue. Traders lament the loss of business. Parents fear sending their children to school through such dangerous routes. Health workers face delays in reaching those in need. These ripple effects stretch far and wide.

This situation demands immediate and serious attention from our leaders and the Ministry of Roads and Highways. Road travel remains the dominant means of transportation in Ghana, and when major routes like this become nearly impassable, entire communities suffer.

As a concerned citizen, I appeal to the relevant authorities to prioritise the completion of road reconstruction, especially in such critical areas. Travel should be a joy, not a trial. I hope that sharing this experience echoes the voices of many Ghanaians who face similar struggles daily — and spur the action we so urgently need.