Until recently, the Tema Motorway had been the only road in the Country that had not undergone repairs since its construction about 60 years ago.
However, as the years passed by, and the road aged on, it had to see some deterioration and undergo subsequent repairs.
Sadly, enough, the repairs have left in their trails more questions than answers. That is, whereas the original road had a smooth surface, the repairs have brought about undulating surface thereby rendering the hitherto smooth road unsuitable ride.
The repair works which have mostly consisted of parchment have not only been that undulating and uneven, but also unfit, mismatched and a complete faux pas!
As such, whereas some of the parched areas are high and above the original surface, thereby creating rumbles, others are simply self-inflicted, man-made holes, with others, being just raw and rough surfaces stretching long distances.
In fact, some of the parches are far below the original surface creating paid-for-pothole.
To say that, this unfortunate conditions offer uncomfortable, unsafe and inconvenient driving is an understatement.
Now, to make bad worse, whereas the previous surface of the road consisted of concrete, the parch areas consist of bitumen (new wines in old skins and for that matter square pegs in round holes).
Questions?
The questions are: One: Is it that the raw materials used in the previous concrete construction are no longer available hence, this unfit, mismatch, uneven and undulating parchment?
Two: Isn’t this situation a serious indictment on contemporary contractors compared to those of yesteryear which first undertook the first concrete construction?
Three: Isn’t this situation also an indictment on successive governments which oversaw these shoddy works?
Four: Can’t modern or today’s contractors do better than those of yesteryear in the face of modern technology and knowledge?
Visionary Nkrumah
It goes without saying, that Ghana’s first president Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was simply visionary, seeing about 100 years ahead his contemporaries.
It is against this background that his Motorway and other numerous monuments still stand the test of time.
In fact, whereas he thought of a smooth concrete motorway over 60 years ago, his contemporaries think of uneven, mismatched, and misfit parchment of his motorway he built many years ago.
To say that his ghost must be turning round his grave when he visits those legacies he left behind is another understatement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we quote Nationalist Ephrakm Amu’s patriotic sound, “Yen Ara Y’ase Nie……Mia De Nyigba Lorlor”….., and also “Asem Yi Dika….”.
Stay tuned for subsequent part on the Tema Motorway quagmire. Adieu for now.
By Edzorna Mensah and S. O Ankamah
