The Central Regional Communications Bureau of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the government to implement innovative solutions to address the persistent traffic congestion on the Mallam-Weija-Kasoa road, which has been exacerbated by recent rainfall and ongoing construction activities.
The party in a statement released by Ms. Gabriella Tetteh, the Regional Communications Officer, condemned the severe gridlock, labeling it as a glaring example of incompetence on the part of the ruling government.
The statement highlighted the urgent need for the Ministry of Roads and Highways, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, to devise and execute a comprehensive action plan to alleviate the traffic crisis.
“The current state of affairs on the Kasoa-Winneba route is unacceptable and reflects a lack of effective management. We are calling for immediate measures, including the establishment of alternative routes by on-site contractors and the deployment of Ghana Police Service personnel to manage the traffic flow”.
Ms. Gabriella Tetteh, Central Regional Communications Officer, NDC
The statement further emphasized that the continuous traffic jams represent a significant safety hazard and cause intolerable delays, affecting motorists, commuters, and businesses, highlighting that the gridlock has been particularly severe this week, following a downpour at around 4:00 PM on Monday, May 13.
Furthermore, the Central Regional Communications Bureau of the opposition National Democratic Congress criticized the government for its ineffectiveness in addressing the ongoing traffic congestion, describing the situation as a blatant neglect of the Central Region populace and all affected commuters.
The statement also expressed profound dismay at what it described as the “woefully inadequate” response of the Ghana Police Service in alleviating commuters distress.
The statement posited that the absence of proactive traffic management strategies has exacerbated the situation, highly affecting several road users and motorists.
The statement thus called for immediate action from President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in addressing the alarming situation, reaffirming the opposition party’s commitment to advocating for the region and its residents.
The Central Regional Communications Bureau of the opposition National Democratic Congress concluded its statement by expressing the party’s unalloyed commitment to advocate for the Central Region and resist what it described as the ongoing affliction caused by the current administration’s neglect.
In an earlier statement, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Honorable Francis Asenso Boakye expressed his ministry’s commitment to collaborate with other ministries to resolve the Mallam-Weija-Kasoa road traffic gridlock.
His statement follows remarks by the Ghana Hydrological Authority that the construction of storm drains to address the persistent flooding on the Mallam-Kasoa Highway, which causes frequent traffic gridlocks, would be completed within 17 months.
Richard Kofi Ameko, the Head of Drainage at the Ghana Hydrological Authority, explaining the plans by the authority to address the situation, emphasized that the project when completed would help to reduce the level of siltation and flooding on the road.
The recent gridlock on the Mallam-Weija-Kasoa highway has caused significant disruption, with heavy-duty trucks bound for the Central and Western Regions parked on the shoulders of the roads, forcing drivers to sleep in their vehicles.
In addition, commuters travelling from Kasoa to areas such as Kaneshie, Lapaz, and Dansoman have also faced considerable challenges due to the congestion.
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