President John Mahama has announced new rules to limit the weight of vehicles on roads to help keep them in good condition for longer. This announcement was made during the ceremony to start the construction of the Cape Coast-Takoradi Road, an important national route.
The Takoradi-Cape Coast Road is part of a larger highway that connects the capital city, Accra, to Takoradi. This road is vital because it carries over 90% of goods and passengers traveling to the Western Region of Ghana, including popular tourist spots like Cape Coast and Elmina. Currently, this road is too crowded and often leads to accidents, making travel slow and expensive.
The government sees the construction of a new, wider road as a key project aimed at improving transportation safety, efficiency, and boosting local economies. Roads Minister Kwame Governs Agbodza highlighted the importance of using local companies for the road construction, assuring everyone that the contractors involved have received proper training.
The new road will stretch about 73.6 kilometers from Cape Coast to Takoradi and will be built in sections to speed up the process. It will include three interchanges, four bridges, and facilities for pedestrians.
President Mahama emphasized the need for weight limits on trucks to prevent damage to the roads, noting that some trucks are overloaded by as much as 70 tonnes beyond the legal limit. He assured the public that discussions will take place regarding these new regulations in the upcoming budget announcement.
As the construction begins, the President promised that there would be no delays, with plans to complete the work within 24 months.
