Residents and commuters within the Daaban–Newsite enclave in Kumasi are set to experience a major transformation in their daily commute as the long-awaited 6-kilometre road project in the area enters its final phase of construction.
The project, being executed by construction firm Doncross Ltd, is expected to be completed within the next two weeks, bringing an end to years of discomfort faced by motorists and residents who have endured dusty and deteriorated road conditions.
For years, residents of Daaban-Newsite have grappled with thick clouds of dust caused by vehicular movement along the untarred stretch, creating serious health concerns and making daily travel difficult.
The ongoing works, however, have rekindled hope among the local population, who believe the completion of the project will significantly improve air quality, enhance mobility, and uplift living standards in the community.
Speaking to journalists during an inspection tour of the project site, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, acknowledged the hardships residents have endured but assured them that relief is imminent.
He said the Daaban-Newsite community has long battled excessive dust pollution, which residents described as a persistent health nuisance affecting households, businesses, and commuters.
“This project is a major intervention aimed at improving the quality of life of residents. Once completed, it will significantly reduce dust pollution, improve air quality, and create a more comfortable environment for the people who live and work here,” he stated.
Project details indicate that significant progress has already been made. The contractor has successfully completed the critical drainage infrastructure and the road base, which form the structural backbone of the road.
Construction teams are currently carrying out the final compaction of the road surface to ensure a stable and durable foundation ahead of the next phase.
In what project engineers describe as a key milestone, the application of bitumen surfacing is scheduled to commence next week, paving the way for the final stages of the project.
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Department of Urban Roads, Na-eem Iddrisu, who has been closely supervising the technical aspects of the project across the Sokoban and Ejisu areas, expressed satisfaction with the steady progress of the works.
He pointed out that the road project is strategically designed to strengthen connectivity within the metropolis, linking the Daaban-Newsite corridor directly to the busy Melcom Road and extending access toward the Santasi and Sokoban Wood Village area.
“We are looking at a two-week window for the completion of the current phase,” he indicated. “Once the bitumen surfacing is completed, the next step will be the asphalt overlay, which will give the road a world-class finishing standard.”
According to him, the improved road network will ease traffic flow in the area while enhancing economic activities by providing smoother access for commuters, traders, and transport operators who depend on the route daily.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, the Mayor emphasized that the Daaban-Newsite road project reflects the broader national agenda of strengthening road networks to support economic growth and urban development.
He noted that the central government remains committed to investing in road infrastructure as a critical pillar of development and has continued to support the Department of Urban Roads to ensure that urban communities benefit from modern transport networks.
“The government remains focused on expanding and upgrading road infrastructure across the country. In the case of this project, we have maintained a two-week liaison with the Department of Urban Roads.
By Benjamin Aidoo
