Phase II of the Tema Motorway interchange is set to commence in the coming days following the signing of the Exchange of Notes and Record of Discussions in respect of the “Project for the Improvement of the Tema Motorway Roundabout (Phase 2)” and “the Project for Rehabilitation of National Trunk Road N8 (Phase2)” between the government of Ghana and their Japanese counterparts.

President Akufo-Addo on Friday, 5th June, 2020 commissioned phase I of the project with a promise that the second phase was scheduled for the second quarter of next year.

The project is being financed with a grant of $56 million secured from the Japanese government and is to be undertaken by Messrs Shimizu Dai-Nippon, a Japanese construction firm.

It comprises a two-tier intersection, a tunnel in the east-west direction, four kilometres of improved roads, four pedestrian bridges, one at each approach to the intersection, and the construction of several drainage structures.

The four-kilometre stretch project, which commenced on February 18, 2018, saw all four legs stretching from the roundabout towards the Tema Harbour Road being extended by 1.9 kilometres, while the Roundabout-Tema-Aflao stretch was also extended by 2.1 kilometres.

Phase 2 is expected to see transformation of the parallel two-tier interchange into a three-tier one to hasten further the turnaround time at the intersection at a cost of Three Billion, Six Hundred and Fifty-Six Million Japanese Yen (¥3,656,000,000.00) (approximately US$33,290,987.60).

In a brief remark after the exchange of the notes, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, Deputy minister for foreign affairs and regional integration said that Ghana is particularly pleased that the commitment by the Government and people of Japan to Ghana's development agenda remains very strong. 

“Japan has consistently demonstrated its support through the provision of grants, loans and technical assistance to critical areas of our national endeavor, notably, infrastructural development, energy, agriculture, health, and education. Ghana and Japan enjoy longstanding, cordial and strong bonds of friendship and cooperation based on shared values and priorities. We remain committed to deepening our cooperation to the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he said.

The Minister explained that the phase I of the project has improved the capacity, safety and efficiency of transport and freight on the Tema Motorway Roundabout, as well as facilitated trade and transit of goods in the West African sub-region.

Additionally, “the Project for Rehabilitation of National Trunk Road N8” which amounts to Six Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty-Nine Million Japanese Yen (¥6,849,000,000) (approximately US$62,346,789.45) According to the deputy minister would contribute immensely to the further development of the country’s transport sector, particularly as the upsurge of vehicular traffic, coupled with rapidly increasing urban population, that put a lot of pressure on facilities in cities and their environs, especially on road infrastructure.

Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong gave assurances that the grants would be used for their intended purposes for the benefit of the people of Ghana.

Also Present at the Ceremony was the Minister for Roads and Highways Kwesi Amoako Atta and other officials from the Japanese Embassy in Ghana and the Ministry foreign and Regional Integration