The contractor handling the Kumasi-Konongo Bypass project in Ghana has attributed recurring drainage failures and structural collapse of one section of the road to activities around the Second Chance Church, led by Prophet Stephen Adom Kyei-Duah. This revelation was made during a site inspection attended by Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Governs Agbodza. The contractor outlined the scale of the challenge and the remedial work already undertaken.
According to the contractor, the affected section had deteriorated to the point of complete failure, forcing the project team to excavate the area and fill it with boulders and crushed rock. The road, originally about a metre lower, had since been raised by close to two metres as part of efforts to stabilise the surface. Despite this significant intervention, the drainage problems remained unresolved.
The contractor identified unauthorised access routes being carved out around Second Chance, also known as Philadelphia, as a major contributing factor to the road's failure. He specifically pointed to the activities around the church as the root cause of the problems. The contractor warned that unless the drainage and access problems were properly resolved, the newly laid road surface risked deteriorating again.
The contractor indicated that asphalt laying on the troubled section was expected to begin within one to one-and-a-half weeks, after which work would advance to other portions of the bypass. However, he stressed that resolving the drainage and access issues was crucial before proceeding with the asphalt works. Minister Agbodza directed that appropriate arrangements be put in place to manage access around the church and that the drainage concerns be addressed before works progressed further.
Minister Agbodza's directive aims to prevent further damage to the road and ensure its long-term stability. The Minister's intervention underscores the government's commitment to completing the project and addressing the challenges posed by the church's activities. The contractor's warning highlights the importance of resolving the drainage and access issues to prevent future road failures.
The Kumasi-Konongo Bypass project is a significant infrastructure development in Ghana, and its completion is crucial for the region's economic growth and transportation network. The project's progress has been impacted by the challenges posed by the church's activities, and resolving these issues is essential to ensuring the road's stability and durability.
The issue has raised concerns about the impact of church activities on infrastructure development in Ghana. Prophet Stephen Adom Kyei-Duah's church has been at the centre of the controversy, with the contractor and government officials calling for a resolution to the drainage and access issues. The outcome of this situation will be closely watched, as it has implications for future infrastructure projects in the region.
Key points
- The contractor handling the Kumasi-Konongo Bypass project has blamed the Second Chance Church's activities for the road's failure.
- The contractor has warned that unless the drainage and access problems are resolved, the newly laid road surface risks deteriorating again.
- Minister Agbodza has directed that arrangements be put in place to manage access around the church and address the drainage concerns.
