Big Push : Mankessim Traditional Council Opposes Road Diversion, Insists Project Must Pass Through Roundabout
Gladson Afriyie
Journalist
Advertisement
The Mankessim Traditional Council has called on government to stick to President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge that the Apam Junction–Mankessim stretch of the Big Push road project will run through the Mankessim roundabout.
The Council’s reaction comes after reports that Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Governs Agbodza plans to build a bypass from Ekumfi to Abonko, leaving Mankessim out.
According to the Council, the Minister argued that the roundabout is a cultural heritage site and should be bypassed. On Tuesday, the Council rejected that claim, describing it as “malicious” and “false.”
At a press briefing, Omanhen of the Mankessim Traditional Area, Osagyefo Amanfo Edu VI, said the statues and symbols at the roundabout are not deities or objects of worship.
“We have found a video circulating on social media with the Minister claiming that the road would not pass through the Mankessim roundabout because there are deities there,” he said.
He added that the Council has footage of President Mahama stating clearly that the road would link Kasoa to Winneba, Winneba to the Mankessim roundabout, and then from the roundabout to Cape Coast.
Osagyefo Amanfo Edu VI explained that the Council and Nanaanom were never consulted on the bypass plan. He noted that the statues were part of a beautification effort led by former MP Asamoah Boateng. If needed, the Council said it would remove them to allow construction.
The Omanhen stressed that while the Council is not against a bypass, the main road must still pass through the roundabout to keep the town accessible and support local businesses.
“The President specifically mentioned the Mankessim roundabout,” he said, warning that implementers should not change the President’s directive.
The Council disclosed that it met the Ghana Highway Authority in Accra on Friday, September 5, 2025. Both sides agreed GHA would hold a stakeholder durbar in Mankessim to discuss the project.
Osagyefo Amanfo Edu VI is now demanding that the contractor and the Roads Ministry stop any attempts to alter the road’s alignment and urgently reschedule the stakeholder engagement to fully address the Council’s concerns.
