Road Infrastructure Progress and Challenges: Tumu-Pulima Road Nears Completion While Accra's Dr Busia Highway Faces Deterioration

Road infrastructure remains a critical focus of national development in Ghana, with recent reports highlighting a sharp contrast between progress in the northern regions and deteriorating conditions in the capital. Residents of Pulima in the Upper West Region are expressing significant relief and excitement as the Tumu-Pulima road nears completion under the government's "Big Push" infrastructure programme. Meanwhile, in Accra, the deteriorating state of the Dr Busia Highway has become a major source of frustration for commuters, who face daily gridlock and vehicle damage due to the road's ruinous condition.

In the Sissala West District, Aschal Construction Limited has successfully commenced the application of the primer seal on the six-kilometre Tumu-Pulima road. Project managers report that approximately five kilometres of the stretch have already been sealed, with the entire project scheduled for completion by December 2026. Local farmers and residents have lauded President John Mahama's NDC government for its commitment to rural road development, noting that the improvements will significantly enhance daily travel and the transport of agricultural goods. While some project delays have been attributed to outstanding material issues and design adjustments, the overall progress has been met with widespread community approval.

Contrasting this rural success, the outer lane of the Dr Busia Highway, particularly along the Dansoman Hansonic-Darkuman stretch, has become nearly impassable. The accumulation of stagnant wastewater, solid waste, and debris has forced motorists to rely solely on the inner lanes, causing severe traffic congestion that wastes hours for commuters. Local taxi drivers have highlighted the mounting mechanical costs associated with the poor road surface and have called for urgent government intervention. The situation is further complicated by the stalled construction of footbridges at Kaneshie, a delay linked to an unresolved drainage project that continues to hamper local infrastructure and pedestrian safety.

These developments underscore the dual challenge facing the Ministry of Roads and Highways: the need to deliver new, high-impact projects while maintaining existing urban corridors. While the progress on the Tumu-Pulima road demonstrates the success of the "Big Push" initiative in bridging the infrastructure gap in the Upper West Region, the situation in Accra highlights the urgent need for a robust maintenance culture. Authorities have appealed for patience as they work to address the drainage and debris issues affecting the capital's road network, even as the government remains focused on meeting the 2026 delivery targets for ongoing national projects.