The Ministry of Roads and Highways has attributed delays in completing the Ofankor-Nsawam road project to ongoing court cases that have stalled construction efforts.

Originally scheduled for completion in July 2024, the project now faces indefinite postponement due to unresolved legal disputes that have significantly hindered progress.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Nasir Ahmad Yartey, explained that legal constraints have slowed the contractor’s work, preventing progress on key aspects of construction until the court cases are resolved.

He further highlighted that many of the disputes involve property owners challenging demolitions or seeking compensation, which has prolonged the legal impasse and stalled the project.

“The major challenge on that road [Ofankor-Nsawam] has to do with court issues. Somewhere last year, we had over 100 court cases that had to do with the project and we have been able to clear about 20 of them and as I speak to you, between Amasaman and Nsawam, there are about 80 of them and these court cases does not allow the contractor the right of way to work.

“We cannot take the law into our own hands if we need to demolish a particular property and the owner is litigating it in court, there is little you can do.”

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

The expansion and rehabilitation of the road are expected to ease traffic congestion, enhance trade and commerce, and provide safer and more efficient transportation for commuters.

Several residents and commuters who rely on the road daily have expressed their frustration over the delays, citing the worsening traffic situation and the associated economic and social inconveniences.

Many have called on the government to expedite the resolution of the court cases to allow construction to resume fully.

Citinewsroom