GPRTU Strike Threat – Pokuase-Nsawam Road Dispute
Ghana Transport Unions Threaten Strike Over Deteriorating Highway
Table of Contents
Published August 18, 2025
Critical Route Faces Shutdown
Ghana’s commercial transport sector is bracing for significant disruption as the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and allied groups prepare for a sit-down strike. The action is planned if the government doesn’t promptly resume repair work on the vital Pokuase-Nsawam road, a key artery for both domestic and international trade.
The 33.4-kilometer stretch,part of the Accra-Kumasi road (National Route 6),connects Greater Accra to the Eastern and Ashanti regions and serves as a crucial transit corridor to neighboring West African nations like Mali,Burkina Faso,and Niger. Its current state is described by drivers as “unmotorable” and ”extremely risky,” with frequent breakdowns and increased maintenance costs plaguing those who rely on it.
Ultimatum Expires Wednesday
Speaking on Saturday, August 16, Samuel Amoah, National Deputy Public Relations Officer of the GPRTU, affirmed the union’s resolve. “The only thing that will make us change our mind is to see the contractors going back to the road,” he stated, emphasizing that a previous one-week ultimatum expires this Wednesday, August 20. If contractors, Maripoma Enterprise Limited, are not back on site, commercial vehicles will be grounded.
The unions initially received assurances from the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, that work would resume within six weeks of funds being released. However, those six weeks have passed without visible progress, leading to the escalation of the situation.
Economic Impact Looms
The potential strike raises serious concerns about the broader economic impact. The Pokuase-Nsawam road is not merely a transportation route; it’s a lifeline for businesses and communities across multiple regions.Disruption to transport will affect trade, schools, and daily life in Greater Accra and beyond. The unions are actively calling on residents and commuters to support their action, framing it as a civic duty to demand accountability from the government.
The original construction contract, awarded to Maripoma Enterprise Limited, was valued at GH¢341.48 million (approximately $346.5 million as of other estimates).The project is fully funded by the Government of Ghana. Reports indicate the contractor has removed equipment from the Amasaman project site, exacerbating the already dire conditions.
A United Front
The GPRTU is not acting alone. The Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) and several other transport associations have joined the call for action. A joint statement, signed by leaders including Emmanuel Nii Ankrah (GPRTU), Alhaji Abbas Ibrahim Moro (GRTCC), and Alhaji Tanko (GPRTU), underscored the urgency of the situation and the unacceptable neglect of the road.
Signatories also included Samuel Amoah (Concern Drivers association), Paa Willie (Concern Drivers Association), David Agboado (True drivers Union), Yaw Barima (Commercial Transport Operators), and Asonaba Nana Owiredu.