The Ministry of Roads and Highways has explained that the delay in completing the Ofankor-Nsawam road project, a key stretch connecting the national capital, Accra, to the Eastern and the Ashanti regions, is due to some ongoing court cases that have hindered construction efforts.

Initially scheduled for completion in July 2024, the project now faces an indefinite delay due to unresolved legal disputes that have significantly slowed progress.

In an interview with Accra-based Channel One TV on Monday, February 17, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Nasir Ahmad Yartey, disclosed that legal challenges have impeded the contractor’s work, preventing progress on key construction aspects until the court cases are resolved.

“The primary challenge with the Ofankor-Nsawam road project is related to court cases. Last year, we had over 100 cases associated with the project, and we’ve managed to clear about 20 of them. As it stands, there are approximately 80 unresolved cases between Amasaman and Nsawam. These court cases prevent the contractor from having the right of way to continue their work,” he explained.

Mr Yartey noted that many of the disputes stem from property owners contesting demolitions or seeking compensation, which has prolonged the legal impasse and stalled the project.

“We cannot take the law into our own hands. If demolition of a property is required but the owner is litigating the matter in court, there is little we can do,” he added.

The $350 million Ofankor-Nsawam road project is a vital infrastructure initiative aimed at improving transportation along the Accra-Kumasi highway, one of Ghana’s busiest road networks.

The road expansion and rehabilitation are expected to alleviate traffic congestion, boost trade and commerce, and provide safer, more efficient transportation for commuters.

However, many residents and commuters who rely on the road daily have voiced frustration over the delays, citing worsening traffic conditions and the accompanying economic and social challenges.

Numerous individuals have urged the government to expedite the resolution of the court cases to allow construction to resume in full.