By Emmanuel Bamfo 
Major traffic disruptions are coming to Accra as critical engineering works finally begin along the busy Dr Busia Highway. The Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources has announced that sections of the road around Kaneshie will close starting September 7, 2026, to allow construction of a massive new underground drainage system.
This project falls under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) initiative to permanently curb severe flooding in the area. Workers will build a 10-metre-wide, double-cell rectangular drain stretching 1.5 kilometres from Pamprom Junction to First Light.
Drivers coming from Korle Bu, Graphic Road, Circle, and Obetsebi Lamptey Circle towards First Light must prepare for diversions during Phase 1, which runs until November 2026. The westbound carriageway from Pamprom Junction will shut down, requiring vehicles to navigate through designated alternative roads.
Traffic from affected corridors will bypass the construction by using Awudome Cemetery Road, the New Times Corporation to Awudome Roundabout route, and the Oblogo through Mataheko roads to connect back to First Light. Motorists can also travel via the Obetsebi Interchange towards the Oblogo traffic light near ICGC Christ Temple through Mataheko.
Pamprom Junction will briefly reopen in December 2026, but the westbound section from Kaneshie Station to First Light will remain closed until August 2027. Ghana Police MTTD officers and local city guards will be stationed on site to maintain order, and the public can call toll-free numbers 0800 800 900 or 0800 500 600 for traffic assistance.
While these diversions will definitely cause some heavy go-slow traffic for daily commuters, the temporary headache is necessary to stop Kaneshie from turning into a swimming pool whenever rain falls. Road users are advised to leave home early and stick strictly to the approved alternative paths.