Ghana Highway Authority strike won't disrupt road projects, Roads Ministry assures

Accra, Ghana - Nov 12, 2024 - The Ministry of Roads and Highways has moved to calm concerns over the ongoing strike by Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) workers, assuring the public that all ongoing road projects will continue uninterrupted.

Ahmed Nasir Yartey, the Ministry's Public Relations Officer, made this announcement on the Citi Breakfast Show with Bernard Avle on Tuesday, November 12.

Measures in Place to Ensure Smooth Project Continuation

Yartey explained that most government-funded road projects are managed by independent contractors operating under binding contracts and supervised by external consultants. This structure provides a buffer against potential disruptions from GHA staff strikes, as day-to-day project activities are carried out by private contractors rather than GHA personnel.

Commitment to Meeting Project Timelines

The Ministry remains committed to meeting project timelines and maintaining progress on infrastructure development. Yartey reassured the public that measures are in place to prevent any delays, emphasizing that contractors are under strict contracts to complete projects on time.

“I want to assure you that all ongoing road projects will go on uninterrupted and the Ministry doesn’t expect to see any road project halting. These are road projects that are being undertaken by contractors and in most cases, supervised by consultants and they are under strict contracts so we don’t expect any road project to halt.”

Appeal for Dialogue and Peaceful Engagement

While acknowledging the concerns of the striking workers, Yartey appealed for dialogue and peaceful engagement. He noted that resolving issues amicably and through constructive conversations is in the best interests of both the Ministry and GHA employees.

Yartey expressed confidence in the process recommended by the Labour Commission, highlighting the potential for dialogue to address worker grievances without impacting the Ministry's infrastructure goals.

“I want to assure you that all ongoing road projects will go on uninterrupted and the Ministry doesn’t expect to see any road project halting. These are road projects that are being undertaken by contractors and in most cases, supervised by consultants and they are under strict contracts so we don’t expect any road project to halt.”

The Ministry's assurance comes as a relief to those concerned about the strike's impact on Ghana's road infrastructure development. With numerous projects underway, including the construction of major by-passes on the Accra-Kumasi highway, the Ministry's commitment to uninterrupted progress is welcome news.

Source: Lead News Online