According to a report published by Citi Newsroom, taxi drivers and commercial motorbike operators operating on the Shama–Nyankrom town road in the Western Region recently blocked the road to draw attention to its deteriorating condition.
The drivers complained that the road has become almost impassable due to deep potholes, poor drainage and flooding. According to them, rainfall has worsened the situation, making movement difficult and increasing the risk of accidents. The affected drivers, rather than merely complaining, organised a communal exercise to desilt choked gutters in an effort to improve water flow and reduce flooding on the road.
Their action, however, resulted in traffic disruptions, affecting other road users, including haulage trucks serving the Marcopolo and Twyford Keda manufacturing plants. Although the drivers insisted they were not staging a demonstration, their actions underscore a growing frustration among motorists across the country, over the poor state of many roads.
The situation in Nyankrom is not unique. Across Ghana, the ongoing rains have exposed the alarming deterioration of several roads, leaving motorists, commuters and businesses grappling with delays, vehicle damage and increased transport costs. The concerns raised by the drivers, therefore, deserve serious attention from the relevant authorities.
The Chronicle believes the difficulties being experienced on the Shama-Nyankrom road reflect a much larger national problem that requires urgent intervention.
The rains have once again exposed the fragile state of many roads across the country. What may have appeared manageable during the dry season has quickly turned into a nightmare for motorists as potholes deepen, road shoulders collapse and floodwaters render sections of roads almost unusable.
For many drivers, every journey has become a test of patience and endurance. Beyond the inconvenience, the economic consequences are significant. Poor roads increase vehicle maintenance costs, damage tyres, suspension systems and engines, and place additional financial burdens on already struggling transport operators. These costs are ultimately passed on to passengers and consumers through higher transport fares and increased prices of goods and services.
Travel times have also increased considerably. Journeys that once took four hours are now stretching to five or six hours because motorists are forced to navigate damaged roads, diversions and construction zones. This not only affects productivity but also places additional stress on drivers and passengers.
While government deserves credit for initiating road rehabilitation projects across various parts of the country, concerns remain about the manner in which some of these projects are being executed. In many instances, major roads are being worked on simultaneously, creating multiple bottlenecks and traffic challenges.
A more phased approach may yield better results. Completing one critical stretch before moving substantial resources to another could reduce disruptions and allow motorists to enjoy the benefits of completed projects sooner.
Equally important is the issue of drainage. Many road failures are not caused solely by heavy traffic but by poor drainage systems that allow water to remain on road surfaces for prolonged periods. As the Nyankrom drivers rightly observed, blocked gutters and inadequate drainage accelerate road deterioration.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways, local assemblies and road agencies must, therefore, place greater emphasis on drainage maintenance alongside road construction.
Roads are not a luxury; they are the arteries of the economy. They connect farms to markets, factories to consumers and communities to essential services. If Ghana is serious about economic growth and national development, then fixing and maintaining our roads must remain a top priority. The frustrations expressed by the drivers should serve as a warning.
Ghanaians are growing weary of roads that become death traps and economic burdens whenever the rains arrive.
The time for temporary fixes is over. The nation needs durable roads, proper drainage systems and a road development strategy that puts the needs of road users first.
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