Ghana Faces Road Maintenance Crisis as GHA Workers Threaten Strike Action
Ghana stands on the brink of an unprecedented infrastructure crisis as Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) workers prepare for a nationwide strike that threatens to paralyze critical road maintenance operations and axle load enforcement across the country. The industrial action, set to commence on November 12, 2024, has sent shockwaves through the transport sector, with experts warning of potentially devastating consequences for the nation’s road infrastructure.
The catalyst for this looming crisis emerged through an intercepted internal circular, revealing GHA workers’ bold ultimatum to authorities. Their demands are twofold: the immediate removal of two senior engineers and the complete revocation of the controversial National Roads Authority (NRA) Act 2024 (Act 1118). This legislative measure, which proposes merging GHA with the Department of Urban Roads (DUR) and Department of Feeder Roads (DFR), has ignited fierce opposition from workers who perceive it as a direct threat to their operational autonomy and institutional identity.
The timing of the proposed strike has amplified concerns among infrastructure experts, coinciding with Ghana’s approaching rainy season – a period when road networks traditionally require intensive maintenance attention. Engineer Kwame Darko, a senior infrastructure specialist, paints a grim picture of the potential aftermath: “A two-week halt in maintenance operations could spiral into a three-month backlog of repairs. The cumulative effect of delayed interventions, coupled with potential new damage during the strike period, could prove catastrophic for our road infrastructure.”
One of the most pressing concerns centers on the imminent shutdown of axle load enforcement stations. These crucial checkpoints serve as the primary defense against overloaded vehicles that pose a severe threat to road infrastructure integrity. Dr. Samuel Mensah, a respected transport policy analyst, emphasizes the gravity of this particular aspect: “The damage inflicted by overloaded trucks in just a few weeks could surpass the wear and tear from years of normal usage. Without proper enforcement, we risk watching our road network deteriorate at an unprecedented rate.”
The comprehensive scope of the planned strike threatens to paralyze multiple critical operations across the country. Routine maintenance activities, including essential pothole repairs, drainage clearing, road marking, and vegetation control, would come to a complete standstill. More alarmingly, the absence of emergency response capabilities would leave the nation vulnerable to rapid road failures, weather-related damage, and bridge structural emergencies, with no qualified personnel available to address these critical situations.
The Ghana Haulage Transport Owners Association has voiced serious concerns about potential exploitation of the enforcement vacuum. Their spokesperson acknowledges the temptation some transporters might face: “While we maintain our stance against overloading, the absence of monitoring could lead some operators to prioritize profit over infrastructure preservation.” Security agencies are scrambling to develop alternative enforcement measures, though industry experts doubt these would match the effectiveness of current specialized monitoring systems.
Economic ramifications loom large in the shadow of the impending strike. Dr. Grace Akuffo, a prominent economist, projects devastating financial consequences: “Beyond the immediate billions required for road repairs due to suspended maintenance and unrestricted overloading, we must consider the cascading effects on businesses and communities that rely on functional road infrastructure. The true cost could far exceed initial estimates.”
The strike’s ripple effects extend deeply into ongoing construction projects. With resident engineers joining the industrial action, these projects face immediate suspension due to lack of technical supervision. This forced halt could trigger a domino effect of delays and cost overruns, potentially derailing critical infrastructure development timelines.
At the GHA yard, workers have been staging increasingly vocal protests, their banners declaring “Mr. President, Ghana Highway Authority cannot be reduced to a division” and “Stop this evil against GHA.” Their passion stems from GHA’s historical significance as the founding institution that established both DUR and DFR, fueling their resistance to any subordination under the new authority structure.
As the November 7 deadline approaches, the Ministry of Roads and Highways finds itself under mounting pressure to resolve this crisis. While senior ministry officials engage in emergency meetings to balance workers’ demands against the government’s reform agenda, the well-coordinated nature of the planned strike suggests workers are prepared for a prolonged standoff.
Regional Engineers have raised particular alarm about flood-prone areas, where any maintenance delays could trigger rapid infrastructure deterioration. The absence of comprehensive contingency plans from the Ministry has only heightened anxieties about the potential impact of the strike.
With both sides holding firm to their positions, the coming days are crucial for averting what could become the most disruptive strike in Ghana’s road sector history. The stakes extend far beyond immediate operational disruptions, threatening the very foundation of Ghana’s transport infrastructure and, by extension, its economic prosperity. As the clock ticks toward the deadline, the nation watches anxiously, hoping for a resolution that can preserve both worker autonomy and infrastructure integrity.
By Innocent Samuel Appiah
