Motorists using the 40-kilometer Asemase to Nkroful Junction stretch on the N1 highway in the Western Region are calling for faster road repairs before the rains begin.
The repair project is led by Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson. It is a collaboration between the Regional Coordinating Council, the Ghana Highways Authority, and the District Road Improvement Program (DRIP).
This part of the N1 highway is a major link between Accra and Abidjan. The road was completed in the 1990s but has not had major repairs since, causing bad road conditions and traffic jams, especially during rush hours.
To ease the situation, officials are now reshaping and patching sections of the road. The ongoing works have brought relief to many drivers, but they want the work done quickly before the rainy season.
Some drivers said, “We are happy with the pothole repairs. It helps us drive safely. But the work needs to move faster before the rains delay everything.”
Shama Municipal Chief Executive, Paul Otis Dentu, welcomed the repairs. He said it would reduce car breakdowns and accidents, which are common on the stretch.
Engineer Emmanuel Kwasi Rockson, the Western Regional Maintenance Manager at Ghana Highways, explained that this road is important because it links the Western Region to the Ivory Coast, Central Region, and Accra. “We’re fixing key areas like Kojokrom, Inchaban, Nkroful Junction, and Anto,” he said. “We’ve applied a zero-forty surface treatment to make driving safer.”
Regional Minister Joseph Nelson added that the current repairs are a temporary fix while the government plans a major upgrade. “This road is over 30 years old. The damage is expected. For now, we’re fixing potholes to help drivers. But we’re also pushing for full reconstruction soon,” he said.