Editorial: Gov’t Must Find Solution To Accra-Kumasi Road Palaver

The Accra–Kumasi National Highway (N6) has, in recent weeks, returned to the spotlight for the wrong reasons – Its steadily deteriorating condition. As a critical economic corridor linking Ghana’s two most important commercial hubs, the state of the N6 is no minor inconvenience, it is a national concern. The worsening condition of the road is not only compromising commuter safety, but also disrupting economic activity and, increasingly, affecting the physical and mental well-being of road users.

Despite being one of the busiest highways in the country, large sections of the N6 remain in disrepair. The 250 kilometres (160 miles) road is riddled with potholes, uneven surfaces and in many areas, abandoned or incomplete construction works. The result is a corridor that has effectively become a chokepoint for both passenger and freight transport.

Journeys that should ordinarily take four to five hours are now stretching between six and ten hours or even longer. The situation is particularly dire around Nkawkaw and Nsawam, where traffic congestion has reached intolerable levels. Heavy-duty trucks, frequent vehicle breakdowns, road crashes and a sharp increase in vehicular traffic all combine to worsen the gridlock.

The consequences are far-reaching. Beyond the obvious discomfort to commuters, the extended travel time translates directly into lost productivity, increased transport costs and wear and tear on vehicles. For businesses that rely on timely movement of goods between Accra and Kumasi, the inefficiencies on the N6 are a significant economic burden.

It must be emphasised that the challenges confronting the N6 are not new. They have persisted for years and have, in fact, been one of the justifications for the proposed Accra–Kumasi expressway project, which many Ghanaians eagerly anticipate. However, the promise of a future expressway cannot be an excuse to neglect the existing road.

While the country awaits new infrastructure, the current lifeline between the south and the middle belt must not be allowed to deteriorate further. Allowing the N6 to decay while waiting for an expressway risks deepening the hardships already being experienced by commuters and businesses alike.

Over the past three weeks, The Chronicle has taken note of the alarming condition of the highway. One of the most pressing concerns is the number of partially completed bypasses, particularly around Nkawkaw. These bypasses were intended to divert traffic from congested town centres, reduce travel time and minimise accidents within communities.

Yet, in their current incomplete state, they offer little to no relief. Instead, they compound the problem, leaving motorists to navigate confusing and often unsafe road conditions.

We believe it is imperative that government prioritises the completion of these ongoing projects. There is little sense in initiating new infrastructure while existing ones remain unfinished. Completing these bypasses would provide immediate, tangible relief to road users and improve traffic flow along critical sections of the highway.

The Chronicle, therefore, urges the authorities to expedite work on the N6 as a matter of urgency. Addressing the current challenges on the highway is not just about convenience, it is about safeguarding economic efficiency and national productivity.

The prolonged travel hours on the N6 are not merely an inconvenience, they represent lost man-hours, increased operational costs and heightened stress for commuters. These are costs the nation can ill afford.

While we welcome the government’s commitment to constructing a new expressway, the N6 must not be relegated to the background. It continues to play a pivotal role in the country’s transport network and will remain relevant even after the expressway is completed, particularly for communities in the Eastern and Ashanti regions.

President John Dramani Mahama has assured the nation that the N6 will not be abandoned. That assurance must now be matched with decisive action. The distress on the N6 is real, persistent and costly. It is time for the government to move beyond assurances and deliver practical solutions that restore efficiency and dignity to one of Ghana’s most important highways.

 

 

 

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