The government through the Ministry of Roads and Highways is appealing to Ghanaians especially motorists who ply the Ofankor to Nsawam section of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, to exercise restraint as expansion works are ongoing to ease the traffic along that stretch.

Speaking in an interview with the media after inspecting the expansion project, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon Kwasi Amoako-Atta, indicated that the congestion is unacceptable but remains optimistic that works will be completed on time.

The minister hinted that the highway will have 4 interchanges, 8 footbridges and underbridges to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

The contract has been awarded to Ghanaian-owned construction firm Messrs Maripoma Construction Ltd, and it is being supervised by Ghanaian consultant, Ing Kwabena Bimpong.

The Resident Consultant for the project explained what the project will be like, and was too quick to add that structures that will be removed to pave way for the expansion, will not stall the project completion time but if delayed it may affect the completion time.

In a related development, Hon Kwasi Amoako-Atta has hinted that he will soon lead some local contractors to some selected West African countries to introduce them, to a business development mission, so they can win contracts and bring the proceeds home.

According to him, the govt of President Akufo-Addo has built the capacity of local contractors and is qualified to work in any country.

At Kitase, the minister expressed satisfaction at the work done after months of the sod-cutting ceremony by the president.

He said he was optimistic that the project will be completed within 20 months instead of the 24 months agreed upon.

The 23km road project is being funded by the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development and the govt of Ghana at a cost of $35 million and is being executed by FIRST SKY Ltd, a local contractor.

By:Isaac Clottey