Rehabilitation works have commenced on the McCarthy-Mallam Junction stretch of the Accra-Cape Coast Highway following public frustration over potholes, worsening road conditions and traffic gridlock.
The Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Honourable Jerry Ahmed Shaib welcomed the commencement of work after engaging the Roads Minister to secure attention for the troubled stretch.
The MP explained that his intervention involved parliamentary advocacy and direct discussions with the minister, who subsequently indicated plans to visit the area.
“I have not had that details from the minister, but we are hopeful that it should be fixed and fixed properly, because that’s the place that repeatedly comes up as a problem area. So, it could be an engineering problem, and I’m praying that it would be looked at holistically so that the problem will not resurface.”
Honourable Jerry Ahmed Shaib
Mr Shaib explained that the affected section is part of a wider corridor plagued by road defects and congestion. He identified the stretch from the Kasoa overpass towards the tollbooth area, through the Atala link and Mallam, as “particularly problematic” for motorists travelling through the constituency.
The Weija-Gbawe MP recounted that the condition of the Mallam section became especially pressing after a department head at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital sent him a video showing the state of the road. He subsequently visited the area himself and concluded that urgent intervention was necessary.
According to Honourable Shaib, the route serves a range of commuters, including medical professionals travelling from Weija, Bortianor and Kasoa to Korle-Bu. It also supports commercial movement towards Kaneshie and Makola, making the persistent road defects a concern for both essential workers and businesses.
The MP expressed relief that machinery has reached the site and rehabilitation has begun, crediting his engagements with the Roads Minister for helping to draw attention to the problem. He also acknowledged the minister’s responsiveness to his communications.
Nevertheless, Honourable Shaib cautioned that the project must deliver a lasting remedy, hoping it would finally end the challenges faced by commuters.
Honourable Shaib also highlighted the poor condition of inner roads across Weija-Gbawe, alongside the potholes affecting sections of major highways, as evidence of the constituency’s wider road infrastructure challenges. He added that he would need further engagements with the Roads Minister to find solutions to some of these road challenges.
Weija-Gbawe MP Seeks Buses To Ease Commuter Hardship
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Honourable Jerry Ahmed Shaib appealed to the Transport Ministry to provide Metro Mass Transit buses to improve public transport across the constituency.
He explained that commuters face steep travel costs and complicated journeys, with some passengers forced to use several vehicles to reach nearby destinations.
Honourable Shaib explained that some commuters in Weija-Gbawe are compelled to change vehicles multiple times because of the transport arrangements commonly known as “short-short.”
Honourable Shaib indicated that he has formally written to the Transport Minister to request for buses for the Weija-Gbawe constituency.
“If they are able to give us at least four of those metro mass buses, that should also save and help the constituents with a lot of problems and that should also save us from paying so much for a journey. If the buses can ply Weija and Gbawe as well as Oblogo, Tetegu, all of these places that would solve a major, major chunk of problems.”
Honourable Jerry Ahmed Shaib
The Weija-Gbawe MP linked these difficulties to the high cost of daily travel, noting that journeys that might ordinarily cost GH¢15 or GH¢20 can leave residents paying as much as GH¢60 or GH¢70. Such expenses compound the financial pressure on households already struggling with living costs.
The MP also welcomed the introduction of contraflow traffic management by the Government but cautioned that its implementation must prioritise road safety. He stressed that improved traffic flow should be accompanied by more accessible public transport to reduce the financial burden on residents.
In addition to lowering transport costs, the MP believes an expanded bus service could make travel more convenient for residents who depend on public transport. He urged the authorities to consider the request as part of efforts to address the everyday challenges confronting commuters.
Turning to Parliament’s upcoming sitting, the MP, who serves as a Second Deputy Whip, outlined his expectations for the government’s next budget. He called for a sitting that addresses road infrastructure, healthcare delivery, education costs and the economic pressures facing households.
He also urged the government to demonstrate stronger action against illegal mining and ensure that public services deliver tangible benefits.
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