The State of the Tema Motorway and Road Network Development in Ghana

The Tema Motorway, a concrete highway built in 1965 by Ghana’s first republic, was a landmark project aimed at enhancing the nation’s road network and facilitating traffic between Accra and the Tema port. Today, nearly 59 years later, this once-pristine highway presents a stark contrast to its original state. The motorway, once known for its durability, now suffers from numerous potholes, creating dangerous bumps that slow down traffic and endanger lives.

Despite its age, the Tema Motorway has proven to be more resilient than some of the newer highways constructed under the Fourth Republic, such as the George Bush Motorway. A drive from the Tetteh Quarshie roundabout to the Mallam Junction reveals the alarming number of potholes on this once-remarkable road. Potholes are especially prevalent at traffic light junctions, significantly affecting the flow of traffic on a highway that was originally opened to the public on February 15, 2012.

The increasing number of potholes on Ghana’s roads raises important questions. Who is to blame for the deterioration of our road infrastructure? Since its inception in November 1974, the Ghana Highway Authority has played a key role in transforming the nation’s transportation landscape. However, a comparison between the roads constructed under the First Republic and those built under the Fourth Republic raises concerns about the quality of modern road construction.

The question that looms large is: who designed and built the Tema Motorway, and how does that compare to the construction of the George Bush Motorway? What has changed in Ghana since the advent of democracy? While democracy has brought about peaceful transfers of power, making Ghana one of the most peaceful countries in Africa, the rapid deterioration of our roads is alarming. The Ghana Highway Authority now faces immense pressure to rethink its strategies for fixing potholes and securing funding to rebuild roads.

The engineering team that constructed the Tema Motorway did an exceptional job, creating a road that has withstood the test of time. In contrast, the George Bush Motorway, though newer, has not demonstrated the same level of durability. This disparity highlights the urgent need for the Ghana Highway Authority to invest more resources in training local engineers to build roads that can last for many years before potholes become an issue.

Driving at night has become one of the most challenging tasks due to the prevalence of potholes on our roads. It is a problem that many Ghanaians have encountered. Potholes, like certain challenges in life, are often unavoidable. When faced with them, we must decide whether to go through them or turn around.

As a nation, we must be concerned about the quality of roads and highways we construct, especially considering the significant costs involved in securing loans for the road sector. The Ministry of Roads and Highways, in collaboration with the Ghana Highway Authority, should prioritize the formation of response teams to address potholes, particularly in Accra. The heavy traffic and the rising number of accidents related to pothole avoidance make this an urgent issue.

By Diallo Madjid