Mahama charges contractors to complete Ofankor

President John Dramani Mahama has tasked contractors working on the Ofankor–Nsawam road project to complete the long-delayed highway by the end of the second quarter of 2026, warning that the government will hold them to their promise.

During an inspection tour of the project site on Wednesday, September 3, the President, accompanied by the Minister of Roads, expressed cautious optimism about the progress so far but underscored the need to avoid further delays.

“I can see that drivers are happy now, and I hope that from now till you finish the project, you will maintain a smooth flow of traffic even as you are working so that you don’t impede the flow of traffic,” he said.

The President urged the contractor to prioritise proper site management to minimise disruption to motorists as construction progresses, reminding the contractor that he will hold him to his work.

“So we will hold you to your work. You say by the end of the second quarter next year you should be finished.”

Describing the Ofankor–Nsawam Road as a critical link between Accra and Kumasi, Ghana’s two largest cities, Mr. Mahama said persistent delays had brought untold hardship to commuters while raising questions about financial management.

“A loan was taken for this project, and I don’t understand why the money is finished and the project is not over,” the President remarked. “We are now having to pay an additional 78 million cedis from government funds. We need to find out what really happened, whether the estimates were wrong or something else went wrong.”

The road project, which began in July 2022 under the previous Akufo-Addo government, was originally scheduled for completion in July 2024. However, funding challenges and repeated postponements have left drivers and residents frustrated by traffic congestion and environmental pollution.

President Mahama disclosed that the project has now been moved under his government’s Big Push programme, which has been allocated GH¢14 billion this year and will receive an additional GH¢30 billion next year. He assured contractors that funding will be made available to keep the project on track.

“As the government commits to paying you well, you too must commit to moving faster on the road and also use quality materials,” he said, adding, “Your company is one of the well-known road construction companies in Ghana, and so we hope this project will reflect the quality of your brand.”

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