The westbound carriageway of the Dr Busia Highway will close from September 7, 2026, for major drainage construction. This extensive closure, part of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, will significantly disrupt traffic flow in Accra until at least August 2027.
The initial phase of the closure will affect the section from Pamprom Junction, running until the end of November 2026. This critical infrastructure upgrade aims to replace an outdated pipe system with a larger, more efficient stormwater drain, addressing persistent flooding issues in the Kaneshie area.
This project fits into Ghana's broader economic strategy to enhance urban resilience and infrastructure, crucial for sustained growth and public safety. The GARID Project, a government initiative, seeks to improve flood management and solid waste services in the Greater Accra Region, protecting economic assets and livelihoods. Previous infrastructure developments, such as the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange, have aimed to ease traffic congestion, but this new closure will test the city's traffic management capacity.
Kojo Ohene Safo, Coordinator of the GARID Project and a member of the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee, announced these traffic restrictions. He stated that the scale of the construction necessitates temporary road closures to ensure the successful installation of the new drainage system. GARID has collaborated with the Department of Urban Roads to devise a comprehensive traffic management plan.
The immediate implications for commuters and businesses are substantial, with increased travel times and potential logistical challenges. Decision-makers will closely monitor the project's progress and its impact on urban mobility and local commerce. The long duration of the closure means residents and transport operators must adapt their routines for over a year.
The construction involves building a 1.5-kilometre double-cell underground rectangular stormwater drain. This new drain will stretch from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction in Kaneshie. It will measure approximately 10 metres wide, replacing the existing twin 1.2-metre-diameter pipe system. This upgrade will also connect the recently completed drainage section at Accra Academy to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction, creating a more integrated system.
Motorists travelling from areas like Korle Bu, Graphic Road, Obetsebi Lamptey Circle, and Kwame Nkrumah Circle towards First Light Junction will be significantly affected. Diversion routes include Awudome Cemetery Road, New Times Road, Awudome Roundabout, Oblogo, and Mataheko, before reconnecting at First Light Junction. An alternative route is the Obetsebi Interchange–Oblogo Traffic Light–Mataheko corridor. GARID has committed to installing directional and advance warning signs to guide motorists effectively.
The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) and relevant assemblies will provide support for traffic management during the closure period. While Pamprom Junction is expected to reopen in December 2026, the westbound section between Kaneshie Station and First Light Junction will remain closed until August 2027. This extended closure is necessary for the ongoing construction work.
A third phase is scheduled to commence in September 2027, focusing on the section linking First Light Junction to the Cocoa Clinic Roundabout. This final phase will involve a temporary closure until the end of October 2027. GARID has urged all residents, commuters, transport operators, and businesses to plan their movements carefully. They advise avoiding the construction areas where possible and utilising the designated diversion routes unless absolutely necessary to enter the affected zones. This long-term project underscores the government's commitment to addressing critical infrastructure deficits, despite the short-term disruptions.