Oswal Investments Limited, the contractor handling the reconstruction of the Dodowa-Afienya-Dawhenya Road in the Greater Accra Region, has given a firm assurance that the 20.8-kilometre project will be fully completed and handed over by December 2026, as physical progress reaches 62%.
The pledge came during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in the region led by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Alhassan Suhuyini, on Wednesday, August 19. Group Chairman of Oswal Investments, Humphrey Awuletey-Williams, expressed confidence in meeting the tight deadline, telling the Minister: “We will be done by December this year. We can achieve it easily.” He urged the Minister to prepare for a commissioning ceremony before the year’s end.
Project Scope and Significance
The road, a critical single-carriageway asphaltic concrete artery, connects Dodowa, the capital of the Shai-Osudoku District, through Afienya to Dawhenya, a major junction on the Tema-Aflao highway. The project includes the construction of pedestrian walkways and a 4-kilometre dual-carriageway section at the key intersections of Dodowa, Afienya, and Dawhenya—areas notorious for heavy vehicular congestion and frequent accidents due to the mix of local traffic, heavy-duty trucks, and market-bound commuters.
The road serves as a vital alternative route for motorists travelling from Accra to the eastern corridor, providing access to agricultural producing areas, the Dawhenya irrigation scheme, and the burgeoning residential settlements along the coastline. Its completion is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the capital and the eastern border towns, ease pressure on the congested Tema-Aflao highway, and boost commercial activity in the Shai-Osudoku and Ningo-Prampram districts.
Funding and Background
The project is being executed under the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure programme, which aims to accelerate road rehabilitation across all 16 regions with a 24-month completion window. The road was awarded to Oswal Investments in late 2024 at a contract sum of approximately GH¢180 million, financed through the consolidated fund and supplemented by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). Prior to the reconstruction, the road had deteriorated severely, with potholes and eroded shoulders making travel hazardous, particularly during the rainy season.
The 62% physical completion rate, achieved in roughly 18 months, places the project ahead of the average pace for similar roads, according to Department of Urban Roads officials on the inspection team. Awuletey-Williams attributed the progress to round-the-clock shifting, effective site management, and steady supply of aggregates from local quarries.
Minister’s Remarks and Other Projects
During the inspection, Minister Suhuyini reiterated the government’s commitment to monitoring all Big Push projects closely, noting that the Dodowa-Afienya-Dawhenya road was a model of timely execution. “We are pleased with the progress so far. This road will not only improve mobility but also open up the area for business and tourism. The contractor has our full support to meet the December deadline,” he said.
The inspection tour also covered the Adenta-Madina road and the Tema-Aflao corridor, where the Minister received similar assurances of partial commissioning by the end of 2026. Suhuyini reminded contractors that performance bonds and penalty clauses would be enforced for any unjustified delays, but praised Oswal Investments for its diligence.
Community and Economic Impact
Local residents and traders have expressed cautious optimism about the project. At the Dodowa market, traders noted that the improved road will reduce vehicle wear and tear, lower transport costs for agricultural produce, and attract more shoppers from Accra. The Dawhenya junction, a busy transit point for trucks heading to the Aflao border, is expected to see smoother flow once the dualisation is completed.
However, some residents have raised concerns about dust emissions and temporary diversions during the final phase of construction. Oswal Investments has promised to mitigate these by watering the site regularly and providing clear diversion signage.
Looking Ahead
With the December 2026 target now set, all eyes are on Oswal Investments to deliver. If successful, the project will become one of the first major Big Push roads to be completed, potentially setting a benchmark for the entire programme. The Minister hinted that President John Dramani Mahama could personally commission the road, as part of a mid-year series of project inaugurations scheduled for 2027.
For now, the contractor remains confident. “We have the workforce, the machinery, and the materials. The only variable is the weather, but we have contingency plans,” Awuletey-Williams added. As the dry season approaches, the pace is expected to accelerate—and with it, the promise of a smoother, safer journey for thousands of commuters by Christmas.
