By Gladys Appiah Darko
Ashaiman, Aug. 06, GNA — Traffic jams on the main road from Atadeka to Lebanon, two busy suburbs in the Ashaiman Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, have become a daily struggle for commuters, drivers, and pedestrians due to poor road infrastructure.
The poor road condition and lack of infrastructure on the Atadeka to Lebanon route are taking a toll on commuters. The road is in a state of disrepair, with crumbling asphalt and poorly maintained lanes, making it a dangerous journey for drivers, pedestrians, and vendors.
This situation has led to increased travel time, frustration, and anxiety for commuters, with many of them forced to wake up early to beat the traffic, while others are stuck in the gridlocks for hours, wasting productivity time and burning fuel.
According to commuters, the traffic jam is worst during the peak time (morning and evening) when commuters are heading to and from work and school.
Speaking with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Madam Vida Twumasi, a regular commuter of the route, said the traffic gets worse during the mornings and evenings.
“During these times, traffic slows down, and it can take up to hours to move from Atadeka to Ashaiman,” she said.
Mr Emmanuel Teye, a truck driver, said driving through the congestion with a load was not easy, noting that “When I’m delivering packs on this street, it’s very difficult,” adding that “The narrow lanes make it hard to navigate, and we burn a lot of fuel in the traffic.”
Meanwhile, pedestrians, including Mr Glenn Nartey, are forced to take extra precautions to stay safe when using the road.
“Since there are no clear separations between pedestrian lanes and roads, I’m afraid to walk on the sidewalk because drivers keep using the walk lane to dodge traffic,” he said.
Mr Glenn pleaded with the Ghana Road Safety Authority to educate drivers about the importance of respecting pedestrian lanes and following traffic when driving.
For some, however, especially the hawkers, the traffic is rather a blessing to them, as it means an increase in sales.
A street vendor, who gave her name as Mercy, said the traffic boosts the selling of her sachet water, which is of high demand when the traffic is intense.
“I get more customers during morning hours when the traffic is heavy. People stuck in traffic often buy water from me, and I make sales during traffic hours,” she said.
Mr Jacob Nyamador, who has mobility issues, highlighted the need for accessible crossing points on the road, stating that due to the traffic, he must walk longer distances to find a safe place to cross the road.
He said this was challenging for people with mobility issues, and he therefore urged the government and the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly to do something about the issue to help save them from possible knockdowns.
Ms Portia Adobea, a student of Chemu Senior High School, sharing her struggles with the traffic situation, said that she always got to school late and got punished for it even though her lateness was not intentional.
According to some riders, the situation is worsened by the large numerous potholes on the road, stressing that apart from slowing down the vehicles, it also puts users at risk, revealing that he almost knocked a pedestrian down last week when manoeuvring.
The people of Atadeka, Zenu, Lebanon and its environs reiterated their call for immediate action to decongest the road, reduce traffic and preserve the lives of the people.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Sawer/Kenneth Odeng Adade