Residents, motorists and business owners along the Kpone Barrier to Dawhenya stretch of the main Accra - Aflao road have threatened to stage a demonstration in the coming days over what they say is the slow pace of construction work on the stretch.

Residents say the daily traffic congestion they have been compelled to grapple with due to construction works on the stretch is no longer bearable.

The government in June 2022 commenced the expansion of the 17-kilometre-long Tema to Central University section of the N1 Highway.

This followed the signing of a $100m contract with a UK-based construction firm BHM on September 25, 2020 for the design and construction of 17 kilometres long Tema – Aflao phase 1 project. One year on, residents and motorists say their lives are being negatively impacted due to the slow pace of work.

“The traffic situation on this road is taking a toll on my life and productivity. On average. I spend two-and-half hours to work and three-and-half back home daily,” said a motorist.

Another motorist Michael Afeletey wondered what is going on. “We don’t even know the work they are doing on the road. When they come today, tomorrow they don’t come. A journey of 20 minutes from Prampram to Ashaiman Timber Market now takes hours.”

“The long traffic is taking a great deal of toll on our health and income because we burn a lot of fuel and inhale fumes into our lungs”, added another motorist.

Some appreciable level of work has been done on all four intersections and storm drains. A drive through the stretch however, shows work on some of the sites have stalled with some construction machines lying idle at Savana Junction.

Business owners along the stretch also say the situation is adversely affecting their livelihoods and are demanding speedy completion of the project.

“They came to break down our taxi station here at Dawhenya that they are coming to build an interchange. For about two months now, they came to take all their machines from the site. This is affecting us because our potential passengers cross to the other side of the road thinking our station doesn’t exist anymore”, said a driver at Dawhenya.

Even though there is a heavy police presence on the stretch, their impact on traffic flow is minimal.

Some workers of the construction first seen on site would not grant interview without clearance from the Ghana Highways Authority.

Commercial drivers along the stretch say they are considering a demonstration to push for a speedy completion of the project.

“We have started an engagement with the residents association to collaborate to do something for government to know that those of us living here are really suffering. Demonstration is the language government understands, so we are planning to demonstrate.”