Sunyani Road Projects: SUSEC-Abesim & Adomako-Watchman Dualization Explained

The Sunyani Municipal Assembly has initiated a major infrastructure project to dualize two critical road corridors: the Sunyani Secondary School (SUSEC) to Abesim stretch and the Adomako Junction to Watchman route. This executive-approved development, awarded to Alexiboam Construction Company, aims to alleviate persistent traffic congestion and future-proof the regional capital’s transport network. This detailed analysis covers the project’s scope, timeline, community impact, and its significance within Ghana’s broader urban development strategy.

Introduction: A Strategic Infrastructure Push for Sunyani

As the capital of Ghana’s Bono Region, Sunyani is experiencing significant economic growth and increased vehicular movement. To prevent the crippling traffic congestion seen in major metropolitan areas like Accra and Kumasi, local authorities have prioritized strategic road infrastructure. The dualization of the SUSEC-Abesim road and the Adomako-Watchman road represents a proactive, long-term solution to enhance connectivity, support commerce, and improve quality of life for residents. This project, funded by the municipal assembly, underscores a commitment to sustainable urban planning in Ghana’s secondary cities.

Key Points: Quick Reference Guide

• Project Scope: Dualization (expansion to multi-lane, divided carriageway) of two key roads in Sunyani Municipality.
• Contractor: Alexiboam Construction Company.
• Primary Objective: To eliminate severe traffic congestion on the SUSEC-Abesim corridor and preempt future congestion on the Adomako-Watchman route.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Affected businesses operating in containers and temporary structures along the routes were engaged on February 4, 2026.
• Relocation Deadline: Initially February 14, 2026, extended to February 28, 2026, for the removal of unauthorized structures.
• Compensation: No compensation will be paid for structures in road buffer zones; the assembly has not issued permanent permits for such occupations.
• Project Timeline: Construction is expected to commence immediately after the relocation deadline and be completed within months, certainly within one year.
• Enforcement: The Assembly will remove any remaining unauthorized structures after the deadline, citing public interest.

Background: The Traffic Challenge in Sunyani

Sunyani’s Growth and Congestion

Sunyani’s status as a regional administrative and commercial hub has driven population growth and increased commercial activity. This has led to a corresponding surge in vehicular traffic, including heavy-duty trucks serving the region’s agricultural and mining sectors. The traffic congestion in Sunyani, particularly during morning and evening peak hours, has become a critical bottleneck, hampering economic efficiency and contributing to pollution and commute stress.

The Critical Corridors

The two targeted roads serve distinct but vital functions:

• SUSEC-Abesim Road: This stretch connects a major educational institution (SUSEC) with the Abesim township and the central business district. The MCE described traffic here as “intense and unbearable,” making it a top priority for immediate intervention.
• Adomako Junction-Watchman Road: While not currently experiencing the same level of congestion, this route is a key access point into Sunyani from the eastern corridors. Its dualization is a proactive traffic management measure, designed to accommodate future growth and integrate with the city’s expanding transport network before gridlock becomes entrenched.

Analysis: Project Implications and Urban Planning Context

Engineering and Scope of Dualization

Road dualization typically involves expanding an existing single carriageway into a divided highway with separate lanes for opposing traffic, often including improved drainage, pedestrian walkways, and lighting. For Sunyani, this means transforming these corridors from narrow, often poorly drained roads into modern, all-weather arterials capable of handling higher traffic volumes safely. The project is not merely about adding lanes; it’s a comprehensive upgrade of the road’s geometric design and utility infrastructure.

Economic and Social Impact Assessment

Positive Impacts:

• Reduced Travel Time: Smoother traffic flow will decrease commute times for residents, students, and commercial vehicles.
• Boost to Commerce: Improved access to the central business district will benefit traders and service providers.
• Enhanced Safety: Divided highways reduce head-on collision risks and improve pedestrian safety with dedicated sidewalks.
• Property Value Increase: Properties along improved infrastructure corridors typically see long-term value appreciation.

Displacement and Disruption:

• The immediate impact is on informal settlers and businesses operating in the road reserve (buffer zone). The assembly’s stance is clear: these structures are unauthorized and impede public infrastructure.
• The extended deadline (to Feb 28, 2026) demonstrates a responsive approach to stakeholder concerns, though the ultimate requirement for removal remains non-negotiable.
• Short-term disruption during construction is inevitable but is framed as a necessary sacrifice for long-term gain.

Legal and Governance Framework

The Municipal Assembly’s actions are grounded in Ghana’s local governance and physical planning laws. The Roads Act and Local Government Act empower assemblies to reserve land for public roads and to remove encroachments. The MCE’s statement that “no permanent permits have been issued” for buffer zone occupations is a critical legal justification. It establishes that occupants are there without formal tenure, thus qualifying as encroachers on public land. The refusal of compensation aligns with legal precedents where unauthorized structures on public land are removed without recompense. The project exemplifies the tension between public infrastructure development and informal sector livelihoods, a common challenge in rapidly urbanizing African cities.

Positioning Within National Urban Policy

This project aligns with national efforts to decongest cities and develop secondary urban centers. The MCE’s explicit reference to avoiding the congestion patterns of Accra and Kumasi shows an awareness of national urban policy goals. By investing in Sunyani’s road network now, the assembly is practicing preventative urban management, a more cost-effective strategy than retrofitting solutions into an already gridlocked city. It supports the government’s broader agenda of infrastructure-led economic growth.

Practical Advice: For Residents, Businesses, and Commuters

For Affected Business Owners and Occupants

• Comply with the Deadline: The final relocation deadline is Saturday, February 28, 2026. Plan your relocation logistics immediately to avoid forced removal and potential loss of property.
• Document Assets: Create a detailed inventory and photographic record of your business assets and structures. While compensation is not promised for the structures, having records may be useful for any future, unforeseen assistance programs or for personal insurance claims.
• Engage with Assembly Representatives: Maintain communication with the Sunyani Municipal Assembly’s physical planning or trade officer departments. Inquire if there are any designated alternative trading sites or relocation packages being considered, even if informal.
• Seek Clarity on Permits: If you believe you have any form of written permission or permit, present it to the assembly for verification. Understand the distinction between a business operating permit (for a legal location) and a permit for occupying a road reserve (which is illegal).

For Daily Commuters and General Public

• Anticipate Short-Term Disruption: Once construction begins, expect traffic diversions, delays, and possible road closures. Plan alternative routes and allow extra time for journeys.
• Monitor Official Channels: Follow updates from the Sunyani Municipal Assembly and the Bono Regional Coordinating Council for official traffic management plans and construction milestones.
• Patience for Long-Term Gain: Recognize that the temporary inconvenience is an investment in a significantly improved transport network for the next 20-30 years.
• Safety First: During construction, obey all traffic signs, flagmen, and temporary speed limits. Keep children and pets away from active construction sites.

For Local Media and Watchdogs

• Report Accurately: Base reports on official communiqués from the MCE’s office. Distinguish between authorized information and speculation.
• Monitor the Process: Journalists can play a crucial role by documenting the relocation process, the contractor’s mobilization, and the adherence to the project timeline.
• Highlight Best Practices: Report on how stakeholder consultations were conducted, as this sets a precedent for future public infrastructure projects in the region.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the Adomako-Watchman road being dualized if it doesn’t have heavy traffic yet?

This is a strategic, forward-looking decision. Urban growth is inevitable. Proactively expanding this corridor prevents the severe, costly congestion that later plagues cities like the SUSEC-Abesim road currently does. It is part of a comprehensive Sunyani urban traffic master plan to manage future demand efficiently.

2. What happens to people who cannot relocate by the February 28 deadline?

The Municipal Assembly has been unequivocal: it will enforce the removal of all unauthorized structures from the road reserve after the deadline. This is framed as a non-negotiable requirement for the public good. Affected individuals are strongly advised to comply to avoid the loss of their structures without any recourse.

3. Will there be any compensation for demolished businesses?

No. The Assembly’s position is that it has never issued permanent permits for occupation within the statutory road buffer zone. Therefore, no structures there are legally recognized for compensation. The relocation notice was a courtesy to facilitate an orderly process, not an entitlement to compensation.

4. How long will the construction take?

The Municipal Chief Executive stated the project is expected to be completed “within a few months and definitely within a year.” The exact duration will depend on factors like weather, ground conditions, and the scale of earthworks and paving required for full dualization.

5. Who is Alexiboam Construction Company?

Alexiboam Construction Company is the contractor awarded the project by the Sunyani Municipal Assembly. As of this report, specific details about the company’s history or past projects were not provided by the assembly. Standard practice would require the contractor to be a registered entity with the Ghana Public Procurement Authority, capable of handling road construction projects of this scale.

6. How will this project affect my property taxes or local levies?

The project is funded from the Assembly’s executive budget and likely supported by internal generated funds and possibly statutory allocations. There is no direct announcement of new taxes or increased levies specifically for this project. However, improved infrastructure can positively affect overall property values and the municipality’s revenue base in the long term.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Sunyani’s Development

The dualization of the SUSEC-Abesim and Adomako-Watchman roads marks a pivotal investment in Sunyani’s infrastructural future. It directly addresses a painful daily reality for commuters and lays the groundwork for a more organized, efficient, and less congested urban environment. While the displacement of informal businesses presents a social challenge, the municipal government has framed the project as an unavoidable step for collective progress. The success of this initiative will depend on disciplined project management by Alexiboam Construction, continued transparent communication from the Assembly, and the community’s cooperation during the construction phase. If executed well, these roads will stand as a testament to proactive urban planning in Ghana’s regional capitals, ensuring that Sunyani’s growth is supported by a resilient transport backbone for decades to come.

Sources and Further Reading

• Life Pulse Daily. (2026, February 14). Breaking News: SUSEC–Abesim and Adomako–Watchman roads set for improvement in Sunyani. [Original source article].
• Sunyani Municipal Assembly. Official statements and press releases from the Municipal Chief Executive’s office.
• Ghana Ministry of Roads and Highways. National Transport Policy and urban road development strategies.
• Bono Regional Coordinating Council. Statements on regional development projects.
• Ghana Roads Authority. Guidelines on road dualization and urban highway design standards.
• Local Government Act, 2016 (Act 936). Provides the legal framework for the functions and powers of Municipal Assemblies, including physical planning and infrastructure development.
• Roads Act, 2005 (Act 683). Governs the management, development, and maintenance of public roads in Ghana.

Disclaimer: This article is a rewritten, analytical summary based on a published news report from Life Pulse Daily dated February 14, 2026. All project details, quotes, dates, and official positions are attributed to that source and the named officials (MCE Vincent Antwi Agyei, Regional Minister Joseph Addae Akwaboa). This piece does not constitute official news from Multimedia Group Limited or any other entity.