Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has assured individuals with legitimate outstanding compensation claims arising from the Accra Kumasi Bypass project that the government will ensure they receive the payments to which they are legally entitled as construction activities resume.
Mr Agbodza gave the assurance during an inspection of the Konongo Bypass, a component of the wider Accra Kumasi Bypass project, where he acknowledged concerns surrounding unpaid compensation to persons affected by the road development.
The Minister explained that efforts to settle some of the outstanding claims had been constrained by the prolonged absence of contractors from the project sites. According to him, the contractors had remained away from the sites for nearly two years, making it difficult for compensation related discussions involving the contractors and the Ghana Highway Authority to progress.
“The contractors were off site for almost two years. They couldn’t discuss compensation while they were home. Now that they are back on site, the outstanding compensation issues will be resolved between the contractors and the Highway Authority,” he said.
Mr Agbodza stressed that the government would not disregard legitimate claims arising from the project and urged affected individuals with valid entitlements not to be apprehensive about receiving their due payments.
“Anybody who is owed compensation shall be compensated; no one should worry about that,” he added.
The assurance comes as construction activities on sections of the Accra Kumasi Bypass resume, with the government seeking to address outstanding issues that have affected the implementation of the major road infrastructure programme.
The Minister indicated that the return of contractors to the various project locations provides an opportunity for the authorities to address compensation matters alongside the continuation of construction works.
He consequently urged the contractors engaged on the Accra Kumasi Bypass to increase the pace of construction and organise their operations more efficiently to ensure that the project progresses in accordance with the agreed implementation schedule.
Mr Agbodza’s inspection of the Konongo Bypass formed part of efforts by the Roads and Highways Ministry to monitor ongoing road projects and assess their progress following the return of contractors to several sites.
The Accra Kumasi corridor remains one of Ghana’s most significant transportation routes, connecting the national capital with Kumasi and serving substantial volumes of commercial and passenger traffic. The bypass projects are intended to improve movement along the corridor, reduce congestion in built up communities and strengthen connectivity between surrounding areas.
The Minister’s comments therefore place emphasis on two parallel priorities, namely the settlement of legitimate compensation obligations to affected persons and the acceleration of construction so that the bypass project can be delivered within the required timeframe.
While assuring affected persons that valid claims would be honoured, Mr Agbodza also made clear that contractors must maintain momentum on site and work towards completing the project according to schedule.
