A group of commercial transport operators has issued a stern call to the Ministry of Roads and Highways to take immediate steps to fix the Pokuase–Nsawam road, describing its current condition as “deplorable” and a severe threat to the safety of motorists, commuters, and residents along the busy corridor.
In a statement jointly signed by the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), and other commercial transport unions, the operators warned that if the government fails to act within one week, they will park their vehicles and embark on a protest until their concerns are addressed.
The statement, dated August 14, 2025, underscores the growing frustration of transport operators who say they are bearing high operational costs due to the state of the road.
The group further indicated that the present deplorable state of the road has made it impassable and poses extreme dangers to motorists, commuters, and residents along the Pokuase–Nsawam stretch.
“As commercial transport operators, we are grappling with high operational costs due to the poor nature of the road, which requires frequent maintenance and changing of spare parts in addition to damage and shortened lifespan of our vehicles.”
Commercial Transport Operators
They further explained that the poor nature of the road has led to frequent vehicle breakdowns, forcing operators to spend heavily on repairs and spare parts.
Beyond the financial toll, the unions stressed that the situation has become a widespread burden, affecting not only commercial drivers but also all road users traveling to destinations in the Eastern, Ashanti, and other northern regions of Ghana.
According to the group, the poor condition of the Pokuase–Nsawam road is affecting daily lives, economic activities, and the free movement of goods and people.
The operators recounted that during a recent meeting with the Minister for Roads and Highways, they were assured that repairs would be completed within six weeks by the contractor and the road restored to a satisfactory condition.
However, they expressed disappointment that the promised timeline had elapsed without any visible improvement. “We were assured that the situation would be remedied in six weeks, but the timeline has elapsed and the situation remains the same, to our chagrin,” the unions lamented.
According to the statement, the stretch’s deteriorating condition has had a cascading effect on road safety, travel time, and the availability of vehicles.
Motorists have been left struggling to navigate deep potholes and eroded sections, particularly during rainy weather when flooding and muddy surfaces make the road even more hazardous.
The unions warned that if no meaningful action is taken within the next week, their members will lay down their tools and mobilize a nationwide protest to compel the government to take action.
They are also calling on all motorists, commuters, residents, and affected communities to join them in this civic effort to hold authorities accountable.
“We call on all motorists and commuters who struggle to navigate this unmotorable road, residents along and beyond the corridor who have to deal with increased travel time and the constant struggle to get vehicles to their destinations during inclement weather, and all Ghanaians to join us as a civic duty to compel authorities to act accordingly”.
Commercial Transport Operators
The Pokuase–Nsawam road is a key transportation link connecting the Greater Accra Region to major parts of Ghana’s Eastern, Ashanti, and northern sectors.
Its strategic importance for the movement of goods and passengers has long been recognized, but the unions argue that the slow progress of work has turned it into a dangerous and costly route for drivers and the traveling public.
Residents along the corridor have also been vocal about the road’s impact on their quality of life, citing increased transportation fares, delays in accessing emergency services, and the negative effect on local businesses. With no clear indication from the Ministry on when repairs will begin, frustration appears to be nearing a breaking point.
The statement was endorsed by key leaders of the transport unions, including Emmanuel Nii Ankrah, National Vice and Greater Accra Regional Chairman of GPRTU of TUC; and Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim Moro, National PRO of GPRTU of TUC.
Others include Paa Willie, National Chairman of the Concern Drivers Association of Ghana; Yaw Barima, National PRO of the True Drivers Union; and Alhaji Tanko, National Chairman of GRTCC.
Their collective position is clear: the Pokuase–Nsawam road must be fixed without further delay. Until that happens, the unions say they are prepared to take decisive action that could disrupt transportation services across several regions, a move likely to draw nationwide attention to the issue.
As the one-week ultimatum counts down, all eyes will be on the Ministry of Roads and Highways to see whether it responds with concrete measures or risks a major standoff with Ghana’s commercial transport sector.
