President Commissions Phase II of Tema Motorway Interchange, Enhancing Regional Connectivity.

Accra: President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday commissioned the Tema Motorway Roundabout Phase II project, a major intersection connecting the capital city of Accra to the industrial city of Tema. The facility, coming on the back of the recent inauguration of the Flowerpot and Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchanges, is designed to ease traffic congestion at the five-legged Tema intersection. It is one of the critical components of the rehabilitation and expansion of the 19.5-kilometer stretch encompassing the transformation of the Motorway into a modern 10-lane divided highway. 'Road infrastructure is the backbone of the nation's progress,' the President said, noting that giving Ghana's busiest Motorway a facelift was fundamental to accelerated socio-economic advancement.According to Ghana News Agency, the Accra-Tema Motorway has served as a vital artery for the nation's development for nearly six decades, linking the industrial city to other parts of the country and the West African sub-region. The Tema Mot orway Roundabout Phase II project commenced in July 2022, aiming to enhance urban mobility, logistics and trade integration in the Greater Accra Region, as well as the West African economic bloc, ECOWAS. Following a preparatory survey by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, the Phase One converted the roundabout into a two-tier intersection and was completed ahead of schedule in June 2020. The second phase involved the construction of a third-tier flyover to alleviate the traffic burden at the intersection.The entire Motorway rehabilitation project's scope includes the rehabilitation of three critical sections: the Accra-Tema Motorway, the George Walker Bush Highway and the Nsawam Road. The construction of both Phase One and Phase II were funded by a Japanese grant of 91 million dollars. President Nana Akufo-Addo indicated that the objective was to remove bottlenecks on the major highways to facilitate regional trade and economic integration. 'These projects are part of a deliberate policy to d ecentralise economic opportunities and ensure equitable development across the nation. From the Pokuase Interchange, the largest in West Africa, to the Tamale Interchange, the first of its kind in northern Ghana, we have worked tirelessly to open up our country, reduce disparities, and empower communities,' he emphasised.The Government, the President said, had laid the foundation for a resilient, economically vibrant and inclusive Ghana, touting his administration's successes in education, healthcare, amongst others. The World Bank, in a 2023 report, said rapid increases in population and vehicle ownership had led to unsustainable commuting times and deteriorating air quality in most developing countries. 'The impacts of highway construction are procompetitive in both output and input markets, increasing labour's share of income by about 1.8 to 2.3 percentage points,' according to the global apex financial body. It added that urban transportation systems played a key role in shaping the growth and developme nt of cities.Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister of Roads and Highways, lauded the Japanese Government for its support in completing the project. He assured the public that the government was committed to improving the road conditions linking the Tema Motorway Interchange, including the Tema Aflao road.