The Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, has disclosed that nine critical sections of the Asem-asa N1 Highway, part of the vital Takoradi–Accra road, require urgent provisional maintenance to prevent further deterioration and safeguard commuters.
According to the Minister, assessments conducted by the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) revealed that these parts of the highway have become increasingly hazardous for both motorists and pedestrians. “This is an extremely important road corridor,” he emphasized. “When you look at its connection from Accra to Elubo, and consider the volume of traffic from Côte d’Ivoire through to Accra, it is a major lifeline for both domestic and international trade. Unfortunately, the section from Cape Coast to our end is in a deplorable state.”
Minister Nelson noted that he has received multiple reports from the GHA regarding the road’s poor condition, which includes severe potholes that are impeding the free flow of traffic and posing risks to lives. “At peak hours, areas such as Inchaban, Kojokrom, and Nkroful Junction experience heavy congestion due to the road’s condition,” he lamented.
In response, he initiated discussions with the Ghana Highway Authority to undertake emergency repair works ahead of the imminent rainy season. “The rains are approaching quickly, and waiting for a long-term contract won’t be feasible at this point,” he stated. “We needed a short-term intervention to prevent the situation from worsening.”
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, April 13, 2025, after inspecting the ongoing provisional maintenance efforts, the Minister assured road users that he is collaborating closely with stakeholders to restore the affected portions to a motorable state.
He expressed gratitude to local quarry companies within the Shama District, such as GDC Quarry, Justmark Quarry, and Coastal Quarry, for responding to his call and donating essential materials for the roadwork. “I want to commend them and the engineers at the Highway Authority for coming to our aid. This support is helping us address a long-standing challenge for commuters,” he added.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the road for trade within the West African sub-region, Hon. Nelson stressed that rehabilitating the damaged sections is critical. “Today is the first day of the works, and I’m pleased with the progress, especially around trouble spots like Beposo and the Anto section, where frequent truck accidents have occurred due to deep potholes,” he said.
He reiterated that failure to act quickly could worsen the already poor condition of the road as the rainy season sets in, making it even more treacherous for commuters. “Seeing the Anto section being filled already gives me hope that traffic flow will improve significantly, especially for those traveling from Cape Coast,” he noted.
Hon. Nelson concluded by acknowledging the collaborative efforts of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), the Ghana Highway Authority, and the generous contributions of the quarry firms for making the maintenance works possible.
Adding his voice, Emmanuel Kwesi Rockson, the Western Regional Maintenance Manager of the Ghana Highway Authority, explained that the Minister’s swift intervention would significantly reduce accidents, prevent damage to heavy-duty vehicles, and alleviate traffic congestion along the Takoradi–Cape Coast stretch.
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