A stretch of the Pokuase–Nsawam Highway in Ghana's Eastern Region, previously cleared of illegal structures, is once again being occupied by commercial activities. Container shops, sand and chippings dealers, and concrete mixer rental operators have set up within the 90-metre road reservation at Dobro. This development has raised concerns about road safety and enforcement of road reservation rules. The buffer zone was initially cleared ahead of ongoing highway construction works.
The reoccupation of the cleared buffer zone is concentrated on the stretch in front of the Blue Skies fruit processing company. Containers and heavy-duty tipper trucks now occupy the narrow space between the main highway and the link road to Dobro. The return of these businesses has sparked worries about the potential risks to motorists and pedestrians. The movement of heavy trucks in and out of the roadside operations could obstruct traffic and increase the risk of collisions.
The situation has been exacerbated by the placement of containers directly beneath high-voltage electricity transmission pylons, adding another layer of risk for people working in the area. Blue Skies' Head of Estates, Prince Asimani, has called for urgent attention from the relevant authorities to address the issue and prevent possible accidents. The company had previously reached an agreement with the chiefs of Dobro to landscape the area, but the landscaping was destroyed during road construction.
Blue Skies has written to the Municipal Chief Executive and the Coordinating Director to flag the situation and seek intervention. The company is also appealing to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Eastern Regional Minister, the municipal assembly, and the police to address the encroachment. The company warned that failure to act could expose motorists, pedestrians, and prospective customers to danger while undermining efforts to improve the highway corridor.
The Municipal Assembly has responded to the concerns raised by Blue Skies, assuring that it will take steps to remove the facilities encroaching on the affected areas. This assurance comes after the assembly had already overseen an earlier demolition exercise along the same corridor. The renewed encroachment has raised questions about the effectiveness of monitoring and enforcement to prevent further encroachment while construction on the Pokuase–Nsawam Highway continues.
Road reservations such as the one at Dobro are set aside to protect space for road infrastructure, preserve visibility along the carriageway, and support the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians. The reappearance of shops and trucks within the cleared stretch has put a spotlight on the need for sustained monitoring and enforcement. The situation at Dobro highlights the challenges of balancing economic activities with the need to maintain road safety and infrastructure.
The Municipal Assembly's response to the concerns raised by Blue Skies indicates a willingness to address the issue. However, the effectiveness of their efforts remains to be seen. The situation at Dobro serves as a reminder of the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to ensure that road safety and infrastructure are prioritized.
Key points
- The buffer zone at Dobro was initially cleared ahead of ongoing highway construction works.
- The reoccupation of the cleared buffer zone has raised concerns about road safety and enforcement of road reservation rules.
- Blue Skies has written to the Municipal Chief Executive and the Coordinating Director to flag the situation and seek intervention.
