The Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwame Agbodza, has ordered an urgent investigation into the premature damage of sections of the newly reconstructed Tarkwa-Agona Nkwanta Road.
During a working tour of major road projects in the Western Region on Friday, the Minister expressed concern over visible cracks and deterioration on parts of the 66-kilometre stretch, just months after the €95 million rehabilitation was completed.
“This is unacceptable. Taxpayers’ money has been used, and we must get to the bottom of why this road is already failing,” he said after inspecting the site.
The Project Manager, Mr. Joaquim Ferreira, attributed the damage to consistent overloading by heavy-duty trucks carrying manganese, bauxite, and other mining products from the region.
In a swift response, Hon. Agbodza led a surprise visit to the Apimanim axle load station, where enforcement officers arrested five trucks for exceeding weight limits—some overloaded by as much as 20 tonnes.
“There is no doubt that overloading is damaging our roads,” the Minister told journalists. “But the axle load programme itself has major gaps. It’s clear we need to fix this system.”
He announced that a five-member committee has been tasked with investigating the axle load enforcement programme nationwide.
The committee’s work, he said, will inform reforms to strengthen compliance and protect the country’s road investments.
