According to him, the situation is making Accra unattractive.

In his 2018 State of the Nation Address delivered on the floor of parliament today [Thursday], Nana Akufo-Addo said the government is finding ways to improve upon the country’s transport system to address the problem.

[contextly_sidebar id=”dbIFXD7fEbqddNCsSJqgoFAhkztqNA0q”]“We have to improve upon the transportation system, so that no part of this country feels cut off or deemed too far from the center. That is the most effective way to stop the unsustainable rush to Accra. Traffic jams and overcrowding are making our capital unattractive. There are certain inconveniences that people adjust to, traffic jams are not one of them. We are spending too much time stuck in traffic, it is unproductive, it is not healthy and it is expensive. I fear that one of these days, one more car will join the madness on the roads in Accra and our city will be completely gridlocked,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo suggested that, the government will construct more roads to connect with different parts of the country to reduce the journey times between towns and cities.

“We have to build the roads to open up and link up the various parts of the country. Journey times between parts of the country have to be reduced,” he said.

Most major streets in Accra have gained notoriety for having the city’s worst traffic jam situations.

Some of these roads include the Madina to 37 road, Circle to Achimota road, Ofankor to Pokuase road, and the Tema motorway – Tetteh Quarshie roundabout.

Efforts by previous governments to address the problem seem not to have yielded results as the traffic situation has not improved.

Some analysts have suggested a total review of the country’s transportation system with a shift from the construction of new roads to the implementation of policies that will encourage boarding of commercial buses.

Meanwhile, the government says work it has started expansion work on the Tema-Motorway into a 6-lane motorway from the current 4 lanes.

It also says work on the Pokuase interchange is being undertaken to reduce traffic in that area.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Traffic jams, overcrowding making Accra unattractive – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Police, they have so far arrested 17 drivers who have engaged in such acts in Cantonments in Accra.

“So far, 17 drivers have been arrested in a special exercise conducted by the Police on Monday July 10^th 2017, on the Jawarlharal Nero road at Cantonments Accra,” a statement signed by the head of Public Affairs at the Accra Police command, Chief Inspector David Fianko-Okyere stated.

[contextly_sidebar id=”H9qeQYmpYiYMZQQGNoeKunwZlTqemrdq”]“The Police (MTTD) in Accra is undertaking an exercise to check drivers who drive on the shoulders of the road during rush hours, as well as uniform personnel who are also engaged in this act when they are driving their own private cars. It has also been observed that some drivers have fixed unauthorized sirens in their vehicles. The public is reminded that under the Road Traffic Regulations 2012, L.I. 2180, Section 74 specifies the category of vehicles that can use warning appliances such as siren,” the statement added.

The statement further listed some vehicles that could use sirens on the road:

1. A government vehicle used by official purposes by head of state.
2. A police vehicle
3. A motor vehicle used by the fire service
4. A motor vehicle used as an ambulance by a hospital or clinic.
5. A motor vehicle used by other recongnised government security agenices.
6. A bullion vehicle registered by the Licensing authority.

Some Ghanaians have complained about the indiscriminate use of sirens by drivers as well as those who in a bid to dodge vehicular traffic use shoulders of the road meant for pedestrians.

The Ghana Police Service in April 2017 gave a one-week ultimatum to persons who have unlawfully installed sirens in their vehicles to dismantle them or face the law.

According to the service, it has noted with concern the unauthorized use of sirens and horns by some motorists in the country.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Akweiteh/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post 17 arrested for driving on shoulders of road during rush hour appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The project, according to the ministry, will facilitate the free flow of goods and services for the benefit of users and also create a new road network near the future port.

The project will also create jobs for over 1,000 Ghanaians.

This was made known at a sod-cutting event at the Tema roundabout to mark the commencement of the CSR initiative.

Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, stated that “Ghana is now the hub for shipping activities in the sub-region.”

He said the Tema Motorway roundabout currently suffers from serious traffic bottlenecks, which impede the movement of private and commercial vehicles within Tema, which affects inter-city commuters who use the roundabout when commuting to and from the Greater Accra Region, as well as the Eastern and Volta Regions.

This congestion also hinders the flow of cargo in and out of the port. The upgrade therefore will significantly ease traffic for all commuters going in and out of the city, thereby reducing travel time and improving productivity.

“The initiative will also contribute to the convenience of the Trans West African Highway for travel to and from neighbouring countries,” the minister said.

He added that “We are pleased to work with our partners in MPS on this project. The port development plan will greatly benefit the economy and this initiative is a good example of Corporate Social Responsibility, as it will help substantially to ease congestion in the Tema communities. We congratulate MPS for this bold initiative.”

MPS, a company jointly owned by APM Terminals and Bolloré Transport & Logistics, in partnership with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, is poised to start a major expansion of the Tema Port, designed to leverage Ghana’s strategic location in the heart of West Africa, to make it a major trading hub and attract more investment.

The CEO of MPS, Mohamed Samara, stressed that “this associated CSR project is probably the largest social investment of its kind undertaken by a private company and I am proud that this initiative has been so strongly endorsed by the MPS Board of Directors.”

Commenting on the local content for the Tema Port expansion project itself, Chairman of the MPS Board, Dr. Alhaji Asuma Banda, said, “Ninety-five percent of the materials for all works will be procured locally. With the exception of sophisticated container gantry cranes, a significant quantity of plant equipment will also be sourced locally,” he said.
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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post MPS, gov’t collaborate to reduce Tema Motorway roundabout congestion appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.