The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has warned surveyors and other professionals against allegedly influencing property owners to reject government compensation offers, saying the development could delay the completion of the Accra-Kumasi road and bypass projects.
Mr Agbodza explained that compensation disputes involving affected property owners have become one of the major challenges slowing work on some sections of the road project.
According to the minister, government agencies have already conducted property inventories, assessments and valuations to determine compensation payments in accordance with the law. However, he said some surveyors and lawyers were allegedly encouraging affected persons to reject the assessed amounts in the hope of securing higher payments.
Compensation Dispute Threatens Konongo Bypass Road
Mr Agbodza made the comments on Friday, August 21, 2026, after inspecting ongoing road construction works around the Sewua area in the Ashanti Region.
He said the compensation issue was affecting contractors working on important road infrastructure, including the Konongo bypass road project.
The minister condemned any attempt by professionals to exploit legal processes for personal benefit at the expense of national development.
He also disclosed that workers of Kofi Job Construction Limited, a contractor working on part of the project, were allegedly confronted by individuals carrying guns and other weapons.
Mr Agbodza stressed that government would not take private property without providing compensation as required by law. He therefore appealed to affected property owners and other stakeholders to cooperate with contractors to ensure the timely completion of the road project.
Government Seeks Security Support to Complete Road Project
The Roads and Highways Minister said the contractor was ready to resume and accelerate construction work. He indicated that the government would engage the Asantehene and security agencies to help create the necessary conditions for construction to continue.
According to him, completing the bypass road would help reduce traffic congestion in Konongo and improve transportation along the Accra-Kumasi corridor.
On the new expressway project, Mr Agbodza disclosed that approximately 20 kilometres of right-of-way clearing remained before the project could connect with the Kumasi Outer Ring Road.
He commended the Ghana Armed Forces for their contribution to the execution of the project and thanked affected property owners who had cooperated with government institutions during the property valuation and assessment process.
New Expressway Not Replacing Existing Accra-Kumasi Road
Mr Agbodza clarified that the proposed expressway should not be viewed as a replacement for the existing Accra-Kumasi road project.
He explained that the new expressway is intended to serve as an alternative route to Kumasi, while ongoing construction and improvement works on the existing Accra-Kumasi corridor will continue.
Ashanti Regional Minister Promises Stakeholder Engagement
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, said stakeholders, including traditional leaders, had been invited to discussions aimed at resolving the compensation challenges affecting the road project.
He assured contractors that the government was prepared to provide the necessary security support to accelerate construction of the Konongo bypass road.
Dr Amoakohene, however, said government would first engage affected stakeholders to provide assurances regarding the payment of legitimate compensation before construction activities are intensified.
The development highlights the importance of resolving land acquisition, property compensation and construction security issues to ensure the timely completion of major road infrastructure projects across Ghana.
Source: newsthemegh.com