The Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project has advised motorists without essential business in Kaneshie to avoid the area entirely, as a temporary road closure at Pamprom Junction is expected to significantly exacerbate traffic congestion in the enclave.
The westbound carriageway of the Dr. Busia Highway at Pamprom Junction was officially closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, September 7, 2026, to facilitate urgent construction works under the GARID Project . The closure marks the beginning of a major phase of a critical flood mitigation initiative aimed at providing a permanent solution to the perennial flooding that has plagued the capital.
A Hotspot Under Pressure
GARID Project Coordinator, Dr. Ohene Sarfo, warned that the closure will place immense additional pressure on Kaneshie, an area he described as a “hotspot” already experiencing substantial traffic congestion .
“What we advise is that if you don’t have any business in Kaneshie as a destination, as much as possible, avoid it, because the traffic will build up, and it will really be inconvenient,” Dr. Sarfo stated in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM .
He emphasized that the lack of alternative capacity within the corridor makes it crucial for motorists to plan their journeys carefully and seek other routes to prevent gridlock .
Recommended Alternative Routes
To mitigate the anticipated traffic surge, Dr. Sarfo recommended several alternative corridors for motorists seeking to bypass the affected stretch:
· Kwame Nkrumah Avenue Route: Motorists are advised to use the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue route through Abossey Okai or Kaneshie North to connect to the N1 Highway .
· Atta Mills Highway Route: Alternatively, drivers can use the Atta Mills Highway, proceeding through Korle Bu and Dansoman, before exiting around Mallam and Sakaman .
“You could even use the Atta Mills Highway and onwards through Korle Bu, Dansoman, and exit at Mallam, Sakaman, thereabouts, so that the volumes would reduce coming to this point, because this is a hotspot now,” Dr. Sarfo explained .
The Scope of the Construction
The current closures are part of a larger, phased project to construct a massive double-cell underground rectangular stormwater drain. The new drain will measure approximately 10 meters wide and stretch 1.5 kilometers from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction along the Dr. Busia Highway .
This significant upgrade will replace the existing, inadequate drainage system comprised of two pipes, each measuring only 1.2 meters in diameter . The new infrastructure is expected to connect to a recently completed drainage section within the Accra Academy campus at one end and the existing drain at Pamprom Junction at the other .
The project is a direct response to the devastating June 29, 2026, floods, which caused extensive damage to properties and disrupted lives across Accra and other coastal towns .
Phased Closures and Duration
The GARID Project has outlined a multi-phase closure plan to manage the construction :
· Phase One: The closure of the westbound carriageway from Pamprom Junction began on September 7, 2026, and is expected to last until the end of November 2026. Works around Pamprom Junction are targeted for completion, with the junction expected to reopen to traffic in the first week of December 2026 .
· Further Closures: However, the remaining westbound section of the highway from Kaneshie Station to First Light Junction will remain closed until August 2027 to allow the drainage works to continue .
· Future Phases: Additional restrictions are planned for the stretch from First Light Intersection to the Cocoa Clinic Roundabout between September and October 2027 .
Appeal for Cooperation and Support
Dr. Sarfo appealed to motorists who must use the affected route to cooperate with traffic management measures and follow diversion arrangements . This cooperation is deemed essential to minimize delays and ensure that the construction works are completed as quickly as possible.
“For those who need to come through here, we would ask for your cooperation so that we can get this activity ongoing quickly, finish quickly, and then we can open it up to traffic,” he added .
The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, alongside project contractors and city guards from the Accra and Ablekuma Central Municipal Assemblies, have been engaged to manage traffic and ensure public safety during the construction period .
The project has also established toll-free lines (0800 800 900 and 0800 500 600) for public enquiries, complaints, and traffic-related information .
While acknowledging the temporary inconvenience, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources has stressed that the works are necessary to deliver permanent drainage infrastructure and reduce the risk of future flooding in Kaneshie and surrounding communities . Motorists are advised to plan their journeys, allow extra travel time, and pay close attention to directional signs and traffic instructions throughout the construction period.
