President John Dramani Mahama has directed the contractor working on the Kasoa–Winneba road project to open the newly asphalted middle carriageway within the next three to four weeks to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.
The President said the intervention would allow vehicles heading towards the Central Region to use the central stretch instead of the dusty, untarred side roads currently in use.
He gave the directive during an inspection of the ongoing works, where he acknowledged the discomfort commuters have endured but assured that the situation would improve as construction progresses.
“I understand the frustration of road users, but the temporary inconvenience is necessary to deliver a better road network,” he noted, adding that the quality and pace of work observed so far were encouraging.
President Mahama expressed confidence in the contractor, stating that the project reinforces the capacity of local firms to execute major infrastructure works to international standards.
He indicated that the entire Kasoa–Winneba stretch is expected to be opened by the end of the year or, at the latest, within the first quarter of next year.
The President explained that although the construction of the Kasoa interchange helped ease congestion within the township, it shifted pressure to areas such as Budumburam, which has since become a new bottleneck.
According to him, the ongoing dualisation is intended to eliminate such challenges by expanding the road corridor through to Winneba and further to Mankessim and Cape Coast.
He disclosed that the contractor has also been awarded the Winneba–Mankessim stretch, while the Mankessim–Cape Coast road project is set to proceed, creating a seamless route to the Central Regional capital.
President Mahama emphasised that opening the middle carriageway in the coming weeks would free up the side lanes for construction, allowing work to progress more efficiently.
Beyond the highway, he urged authorities to prioritise feeder roads linking communities along the corridor, warning that residents should not be left with poor access routes despite the presence of a modern highway.
He described the Central Region as a key destination for investment and tourism, stressing that improved road infrastructure would unlock economic opportunities, attract industries, and generate employment.
The President also commended the contractor for undertaking corporate social responsibility initiatives and encouraged further support for affected communities.
He revealed that the project was inherited from the previous administration but had stalled due to unpaid claims. The government, he said, revived it under the “Big Push” initiative, which provides dedicated funding for major infrastructure.
“The faster the work progresses, the faster payments will be made,” he added, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the timely completion of the project.
