Workers engaged on the Kasoa–Winneba Highway Dualization Project on Tuesday staged a peaceful demonstration to protest what they describe as worsening conditions of service and neglect by both the project contractors and supervising authorities.
The demonstrators, made up of machine operators, casual laborers temporarily laid down their tools at sections of the highway near Gomoa Okyereko and Kasoa, holding placards with inscriptions such as “We Deserve Better Working Conditions,” “Pay Our Allowances,” and “Safety First on the Kasoa–Winneba Road.”
According to the workers, persistent delays in the payment of salaries and allowances, inadequate safety equipment, poor accommodation for site staff, and lack of medical support have created an unsafe and demoralizing working environment.
Background to the Project
The Kasoa–Winneba Highway Dualization Project is a flagship road infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding the busy stretch of the N1 Highway from a two-lane road into a dual carriageway. The project is intended to reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety, and enhance economic activities between Accra, Kasoa, Winneba, and other parts of the Central Region.
The highway serves as a major transport corridor linking the capital city to the Central and Western regions and is notorious for frequent traffic jams and fatal accidents, particularly around Kasoa and Gomoa Buduburam. Over the years, residents, transport operators, and commuters have consistently called for its expansion to address the growing traffic volumes.
Construction work on the dualization project began amid high public expectations, with government assurances that the project would be completed in phases to minimize disruption to commuters while creating jobs for local youth.
Workers’ Grievances
Workers said several appeals to site managers and relevant authorities have yielded little response. They claim some workers have gone for months without full payment, while others work without basic protective gear such as helmets, reflective vests, and safety boots, exposing them to serious occupational hazards.
“We are committed to the success of this project, but the conditions under which we are working are unacceptable,” one of the workers told journalists. “Accidents are frequent, yet there is no proper medical cover or insurance for many of us.”
The workers also accused management of failing to provide decent welfare facilities, including potable drinking water, sanitation, and rest areas at various sections of the construction site.
Response from Authorities
Attempts to get immediate comments from the contractors and supervising agencies were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. However, security personnel were deployed to ensure calm as the demonstration remained largely peaceful and did not disrupt traffic for extended periods.
Some commuters expressed sympathy with the workers but urged authorities to resolve the matter swiftly to avoid delays in the completion of the project, which has already faced intermittent stoppages.
Way Forward
The demonstrators have threatened to escalate their action if their concerns are not addressed within a reasonable timeframe. They are calling on the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Ghana Highway Authority, and the project contractors to engage them in dialogue and improve their conditions of service.
As the Kasoa–Winneba Highway remains a critical artery for trade, tourism, and daily commuting, stakeholders say resolving the workers’ concerns is essential to ensuring both the timely completion of the project and the safety of those working on it.
Freedom Lavoe/ahotoronline.com