A Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) consulting team has expressed satisfaction with preparatory works on the proposed Santasi Roundabout to Asokwa Interchange dual carriageway project.
The team commended KMA for clearing the right of way, giving contractors adequate space to assess and build the dual carriageway meant to ease traffic congestion.
Ing. Maud Gbeckor-Kove, a development engineer with the Department of Urban Roads, led the team to first paid a courtesy call on the Mayor of Kumasi on Monday, June 16, 2026, before heading to the site.
Mr. Junichiro Ogawa, JICA’s Chief Consultant, told the Mayor of Kumasi that once inspection of the preparatory stage is complete and satisfactory, the process to select a contractor for the project would begin under the Japanese Government.
He was delighted with the adequate preparatory works done on the stretch, hinting that JICA-Ghana would soon inspect the site and submit a report for the continuation of the project.
Mr. Ogawa was pleased that land clearing, utility relocation, and stakeholder engagements had progressed smoothly.
He thanked KMA authorities and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for their key roles in the preparatory stages of the project.
He further assured that once the contractor mobilizes to site, construction is expected to start in earnest and run nonstop until completion.
The dual carriageway project is expected to ease traffic congestion between Santasi, Asokwa, and Ahodwo, three of Kumasi’s busiest commercial hubs.
The Mayor of Kumasi expressed the city’s and the Asantehene’s desire to see the project start, appealing to the Government of Japan to play its part to ensure successful execution of the road project.
“We are happy and ready to see work start on the road project. This project has been long-awaited, and about 98% of Kumasi residents would be happy to see the dual carriageway completed successfully,” he stated.
He noted that motorists, workers, students, traders, and many others who ply the route daily have long complained about gridlock, especially during rush hours, and are eager for the road to be dualized.
JICA will fund the project under the Ghana-Japan bilateral cooperation agreement.
Construction timelines and contractor details are expected to be announced after the final site handover.
BY Thomas Awuah Asem
