The eastern corridor road: A death trap for motorist

“Road Transportation remains a strategic sector in Ghanaian economy. It is the fulcrum around which the economy revolves. It enhances the performance of other sectors in the economy. It is for this reason that investment in road infrastructure and services is very important if not critical… Ghana’s ability to achieve national targets for growth and poverty reduction depends to a very large extent on an efficient, reliable and safe road infrastructure system which is adequate, affordable and complements other modes”. That is the introduction on the website of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, such an in-depth understanding of the importance of road transportation. Its mission and vision is to formulate policies, monitor and evaluate programmes and projects in other to provide and maintain a safe and sustainable road network responsive to the needs of users, supporting growth and poverty reduction.

I was whoa by the Ministry’s mission and vision as I read them. I asked myself, if the Ministry were to evaluate themselves, how will they fare in general especially on safety and responsiveness to the needs of users (motorist)? How are they monitoring the Eastern Corridor road and other strategic roads across the country? Your answer may as well be like mine.

The Eastern Corridor road started in 2012 to ensure easy access of goods and service from the northern part of Ghana to the southern part. It will as well improve trade integration between Ghana, BurkinaFaso, Mali and Niger. The road stretches from Tema through the central part of the Volta region to Kulungugu in the northern part Ghana. For timely completion of the project, seven contractors were awarded different lots on the project.

Since the construction of Asikuma junction – Hohoe section of the road started the contractors G.S International Developer Ghana Limited seems to have abandoned the project and left it in a dangerous state. The section from Asikuma junction to Kpeve is totally “spoilt” and rendered immotorable. This threatens the lives of motorist who ply the road daily. The right lane from Peki Avetile to Asikuma junction is filled with dust chippings and blocked with stones and sticks, which have started growing weeds. Potholes best described as manholes have devastated the whole section to Kpeve with heaps of sand piled on both side of the road. Apparently, road signs and markings are not visible apart from stones and sticks. Drivers who cannot afford frequent maintenance of their vehicles use the Ho road from Kpeve to Ayiniwase. Then continue through Tsito to Asikuma and vice-versa, a rather long and winding road cutting off passengers going to Peki.

Though the section from Kpeve to Hohoe has most of its potholes patched, there are still dangerous ones that must be patched as well. The whole 45km Asikuma junction – Hohoe lot of the Eastern Corridor road can best be described as deadly and awful. First time motorist and those who are not very familiar with the road may end up in their graves or in the hospital and their vehicles badly damage. It is very disheartening that the government will abandon the people of the Volta region whose commitment to the government cannot be in doubt. Even if they are anti-government or anti N.D.C, they deserve better infrastructural development because they are Ghanaians and it is their right to have good social and infrastructural development. We (Ghanaians) invested our right to development of the nation in the government. We expect nothing, but only what the government promised and not abuse of our right invested in them.

By December 2014, the 45km Asikuma-Hohoe lot is expected to be completed, while the entire 695km corridor will be completed in 2016. From the look of progress on the project, it is impossible for the contractors to complete the project on time, if they continue construction at the same rate. The Ministry of roads and highways should come out and explain to Ghanaians and the people of Volta region, why the Asikuma-Hohoe section of the road is in such an awful state and poses a threat to lives. We cannot wait to election time for fake promises, assurance and flimsy excuses. We Demand That The Eastern Corridor Road Get Fixed Now! Hash Tag.