The Accra-Tema Motorway reconstruction project has hit 48% completion, with significant improvements in drainage infrastructure reducing flooding along the corridor. According to Ing. Kwabena Bempong, a road construction consultant working on the project, major drainage infrastructure is already helping to reduce flooding along the corridor. Ing. Kwabena Bempong told host Bernard Avle on Channel One TV's The Point of View that work is currently focused on the urban highway, which will function as a service road alongside the main motorway. 'We're currently working on the urban highway, which is more like a service road. We're currently around 48%; we have not yet gone halfway through,' he said.

A significant portion of the project has centered on drainage infrastructure and interchange construction to address the perennial flooding that has affected sections of the motorway. According to Ing. Bempong, the project involves the construction of about 20 culverts and three interchanges, with most of those structures now nearing completion. 'We have about 20 culverts and three interchanges; we have constructed lots of them, and the majority are almost done, and that has reduced the flooding; we didn't experience that,' he said.

President John Dramani Mahama directed a nationwide clean-up exercise in response to recent flooding in parts of the country, which claimed lives, displaced residents, and submerged homes. The exercise, which took place on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, brought together the President, government officials, and members of the public to desilt drains, clear choked gutters, and clean streets in flood-affected communities as part of efforts to improve sanitation and reduce the risk of future flooding.

Despite the progress made, challenges have been encountered, mainly around diversions around interchanges and the construction of drainage structures. Ing. Bempong acknowledged that contractors have prioritized keeping the motorway open to traffic while construction continues. 'We make sure the road is passable throughout the period of construction,' he stated.

### Key Facts

  • The Accra-Tema Motorway reconstruction project is 48% complete.
  • The project involves the construction of 20 culverts and three interchanges.
  • Most of the interchange structures have been completed, reducing flooding.
  • The project has prioritized keeping the motorway open to traffic.
  • A nationwide clean-up exercise was recently conducted to improve sanitation and reduce the risk of future flooding.

### Ghana's Focus on Drainage Infrastructure

Ghana has been grappling with flooding issues for years, particularly along major highways like the Accra-Tema Motorway. In recent years, the government has been intensifying efforts to address this issue, recognizing its impact on the economy and public safety. The focus on drainage infrastructure is part of this broader effort to mitigate the effects of flooding and ensure the well-being of citizens.

'We have about 20 culverts and three interchanges; we have constructed lots of them, and the majority are almost done, and that has reduced the flooding; we didn't experience that.'

The completion of the Accra-Tema Motorway reconstruction project will significantly reduce the risk of flooding and improve travel conditions for residents and commuters alike. The project's progress serves as a testament to the government's commitment to addressing Ghana's infrastructure challenges and enhancing the overall quality of life for citizens.