Road infrastructure projects and other vital administrative works currently under construction are expected to face significant delays as workers of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) have announced an indefinite strike, set to begin on Tuesday, November 12.
This action comes at a time when several road projects, including key highways and critical maintenance works, are in progress, and the strike threatens to disrupt these operations across the country.
The workers’ decision to strike stems from the government’s refusal to halt the implementation of the controversial National Roads Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1118), which they believe will have severe consequences for the country’s roads sector.
The Act, which is designed to create the National Roads Authority (NRA), has faced widespread opposition from GHA workers who argue it will undermine the roles and responsibilities of the existing Ghana Highway Authority and weaken the efficiency of road management.
At the heart of the dispute is a demand for the removal of two key officials: Ing. I.K. Mensah, the Chairman of the GHA Board, and Ing. Collins B. Donkor, the Chief Executive Officer of the NRA.
Workers argue that these officials have played a crucial role in decisions that threaten the integrity of the roads sector, particularly in the areas of procurement, project management, and the overall direction of national infrastructure projects.
They claim that the new Act, backed by the leadership of the two men, is being pushed through without proper consultation with relevant stakeholders, including workers who are directly involved in the sector.
This latest development follows a formal petition to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in which the workers called for broader consultations and a reevaluation of the new Act before moving forward with its implementation.
The workers have expressed concerns that the Act, if enforced, could result in job losses, reduced funding for road maintenance, and a diminished capacity for the GHA to effectively carry out its responsibilities.
In the petition, the workers also highlighted the long-standing issues facing the roads sector, including underfunding, lack of maintenance, and delayed construction projects.
They argue that rather than implementing a new structure that could destabilize the sector, the government should prioritize addressing these challenges and work towards improving the existing systems.
As the strike looms, the government faces mounting pressure to address the workers’ concerns and find a resolution that ensures the timely completion of vital road infrastructure projects, which are essential for the country’s economic growth and development.
