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Transport Operators Give Government Two-Week Ultimatum to Fix Bad Roads

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The Alliance of Transport Operators has given the Government of Ghana a two-week ultimatum to begin rehabilitation and maintenance works on major highways across the country, warning that it could park commercial vehicles, increase transport fares by 20 per cent, or embark on lawful industrial action if no action is taken.

In a press release dated July 1, 2026, the alliance, made up of the Alliance of Drivers of Ghana, Co-operative Transport Unions, and PROTOA, expressed concern over what it described as the deteriorating condition of key roads linking regional capitals.

According to the group, some of the worst-affected highways include the Accra–Mankessim, Accra–Kumasi, Kumasi–Wa, and Accra–Aflao roads, as well as other major routes across the country.

The alliance said the poor state of the roads has significantly increased travel times, with some journeys now taking nearly twice as long due to traffic congestion and damaged road surfaces.

It noted that transport operators are spending more on fuel, vehicle repairs, tyre replacements, and maintenance while struggling to keep transport services affordable for commuters.

“The deplorable state of these roads causes commercial drivers to spend long hours in traffic and navigating damaged road surfaces. This has significantly increased fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance costs, tyre wear, and travel time, making the transport business less profitable and placing an unnecessary burden on both drivers and passengers,” the statement said.

The alliance further warned that deteriorating roads continue to expose motorists and passengers to increased risks of road crashes and security threats.

Government given two weeks.

The transport operators are demanding immediate intervention from the government, saying urgent rehabilitation of the affected roads would improve road safety, reduce travel time, lower transport operating costs, and boost economic activities nationwide.

They cautioned that failure by the government to take concrete action within the two-week deadline would leave them with no option but to take decisive measures.

“Should the government fail to take concrete action within the two weeks, the Alliance of Transport Operators will have no option but to park our vehicles, increase transport fares by 20 per cent, or embark on lawful industrial action to register our dissatisfaction with the continued neglect of the nation’s road infrastructure and the growing hardships facing transport operators,” the statement warned.

Concern over licence penalties

The alliance also criticised the introduction of penalties for drivers who fail to renew their driver’s licences and other required documents on time.

While acknowledging the importance of complying with road traffic regulations, the group argued that imposing additional financial penalties on drivers is unfair at a time when transport operators are already grappling with rising operating costs and poor road conditions.

It appealed to the ministry responsible for roads and highways and other relevant state institutions to treat the matter as a national priority.

According to the alliance, quality road infrastructure is essential for commerce, public safety, and national development.

The group, however, reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, expressing hope that the government would respond swiftly in the interest of drivers, passengers, businesses, and the wider Ghanaian economy.

The statement was signed on behalf of the Alliance of Transport Operators by its Public Relations Officer, Kwaku Boateng. Also listed as contacts were the Central Regional Public Relations Officer, Adu Yeboah, popularly known as Lawyer, and the National Organiser, Ishmael Chobal.

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General News

Investigative Journalism Under Siege as Corruption Becomes the New Normal – Nana Kwadwo Jantuah

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Veteran journalist Nana Kwadwo Jantuah has raised concerns over the state of investigative journalism in Ghana, arguing that widespread corruption is making wrongdoing appear normal to the public.

Speaking on the challenges facing the media via a zoom meeting on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Jantuah said society has become so deeply affected by corruption that many questionable actions are now accepted by the masses without scrutiny.

According to him, powerful individuals often prioritize money above integrity, creating an environment where “every foul means” is used to accumulate wealth.
He also weighed in on recent comments by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) General Secretary, stating that while the official’s position is correct, some journalists are likely to oppose the move and criticize him for allegedly failing to meet what they describe as accepted professional standards.

Jantuah warned that investigative journalism is increasingly under pressure, stressing that journalists committed to exposing corruption must remain steadfast despite criticism and resistance.
He maintained that protecting ethical journalism is essential to safeguarding accountability and strengthening Ghana’s democracy

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Canceling Zoomlion Contract Was Reckless and Unsubstantiated – Andy Kankam Slams Government Over Accra Flood Crisis

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Managing Editor of the Informer, Andy Kankam, has strongly criticized the government’s handling of the recent flooding in Accra, describing the decision to terminate Zoomlion Ghana Limited’s sanitation contract as “reckless and unsubstantiated.”

Speaking on the aftermath of the devastating floods on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Kankam argued that the government’s response has failed to address the root causes of the disaster, insisting that the GHS150 million allocated for flood-affected communities is inadequate.
According to him, the President should have consulted engineers and technical experts before announcing relief measures to determine the cost of expanding drainage systems and creating effective flood channels, rather than relying on political decisions.

He also questioned the process that led to the release of the relief funds, asking what consultations were undertaken before the government approved nearly GHS200 million for flood victims.

Kankam further lamented the worsening sanitation situation in the capital, claiming that heaps of refuse remain uncollected because Zoomlion no longer has a contract to clean parts of the city.

He challenged authorities to identify which company currently has the capacity to replace Zoomlion’s nationwide sanitation operations, arguing that the contract termination has contributed to choked drains and poor waste management.

The media executive maintained that flood prevention requires long-term engineering solutions and effective sanitation management, rather than emergency political interventions after disasters occur.

By Maurice Otoo

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Ghana Armed Forces to Deploy Troops and Engineers for Nationwide Flood Recovery Operation

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The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will launch a nationwide operation to desilt major drains, rivers, and waterways in response to the severe floods that affected various regions of Ghana on June 28 and 29, 2026.

This initiative is part of the government’s flood recovery and mitigation efforts aimed at restoring damaged infrastructure and reducing the risk of future disasters. Military personnel, engineering units, and specialised machinery will be deployed to clear blocked drainage systems by removing silt, refuse, fallen trees, abandoned vehicles, collapsed structures, and other debris that obstructs the free flow of water.

At a press briefing in Accra on Friday, July 3, the Director General of Joint Operations at the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah, stated that the initiative aims to reopen critical drainage channels and enhance public safety in flood-prone communities. He emphasised that roads, bridges, drains, and waterways clogged with debris would be cleared to restore normal movement and strengthen the country’s resilience against future flooding.

Brig. Gen. Okae-Yeboah also mentioned that authorities may remove buildings and other structures that have been illegally constructed within waterways or those deemed to pose an immediate danger to lives and property. He clarified that such actions will be taken in accordance with existing laws and in collaboration with the relevant civil authorities.

He urged individuals occupying drainage reserves and environmentally protected areas to cooperate with officials throughout the exercise to ensure its successful implementation.

The operation will be carried out through a coordinated effort involving several state institutions, including the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Health Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The government anticipates that this exercise will improve drainage systems, restore critical public infrastructure, and minimise the impact of future flooding across the country.

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