The Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Ahmed Ibrahim, has directed the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to remove all vehicles parked along designated diversion routes ahead of the temporary closure of a section of the Dr. Busia Highway on Monday.
The directive is part of measures to prevent severe traffic disruption when the Pamprom Junction-to-First Light section of the highway is closed to traffic to pave the way for major drainage improvement works under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.
Mr. Ibrahim gave the directives when he inspected preparations for the closure and assessed the contractor’s readiness to implement the approved Traffic Management Plan (TMP).
He said the removal of on-street parking and other obstructions was necessary to ensure that the alternative routes could accommodate the expected increase in vehicular traffic during the construction period.
“The safety and convenience of the motoring public must remain a top priority throughout this exercise. We expect the contractor to put in place a robust Traffic Management Plan that will keep traffic moving while these critical drainage works are carried out,” he said.
The Minister also ordered the contractor to intensify public education on the road closure, saying commuters and residents needed adequate notice of the alternative routes and traffic arrangements.
“No one should wake up on Monday and be surprised by the road closure. We must intensify public education through television, radio, online platforms and community engagement so that every commuter knows the alternative routes and can plan their journey in advance,” Mr. Ibrahim said.
He further directed that clearly marked diversion routes, adequate directional signs, proper barricades and traffic management personnel be deployed at critical intersections to facilitate the smooth movement of vehicles.
According to him, sustained public education would help reduce confusion and congestion while encouraging motorists to comply with the approved diversions.
The Minister further urged the contractor to adhere strictly to the project schedule and complete the drainage works on time to minimise inconvenience to motorists, residents and businesses within the affected areas.
The drainage works form part of the government’s broader flood mitigation interventions under the GARID Project, which seeks to improve stormwater drainage infrastructure and strengthen flood resilience within the Odaw Basin in the Greater Accra Region.
The first phase of the works is expected to be completed by the end of November 2026, while the remaining section is scheduled for completion by October 2027.
The Ministry said it was working with the Ghana Police Service, Department of Urban Roads, Ghana Highway Authority and the affected metropolitan and municipal assemblies to ensure the effective implementation of the Traffic Management Plan.
Motorists have been advised to plan their journeys ahead of Monday’s closure, follow the approved diversion routes and comply with traffic signs and directions from traffic officers.
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