Delay on Ofankor-Nsawam Road Project Explained by Senior Project Manager

The Senior Project Manager overseeing the Ofankor-Nsawam road expansion, Ing. Abdulai Mahama, has shed light on the reasons behind the delayed progress on the major construction project. Originally slated for completion within 24 months after commencing in September 2022, the project has now reached approximately 60 percent completion, prompting questions from the public on the causes of the hold-up.

Appearing on Adom TV’s current affairs program, The Big Agenda, with host Abena Opokua Ahwenee, Mr. Mahama explained that several unforeseen challenges have impacted the project’s timeline, some of which were beyond the control of the construction team.

“One significant delay involved the presence of a shrine located along the construction path,” Mr. Mahama recounted. “When we attempted to engage the local community, we were informed that the gods were away, which halted work for over three months. As part of cultural and traditional requirements, we provided two cattle and a cash offering, which allowed us to resume work on the site.”

In addition to the shrine issue, Mr. Mahama cited other logistical hurdles, such as resolving disputes between local settlers and landowners and repositioning high-tension power lines managed by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and GRIDCO. The need for additional clearance and resources to handle these concerns added further delays to the road project’s timeline.

Despite these obstacles, Mr. Mahama assured viewers that the road, once completed, is designed to have a 20-year lifespan, with drainage systems projected to last up to 50 years, underlining the project’s long-term resilience and impact.