Mankessim Residents Demand Answers from Roads Minister Kwame Agbodza Over Bypass Decision

Residents of Mankessim in the Central Region are demanding immediate clarification from Ghana’s Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza, following his comments on the planned bypass on the Winneba–Mankessim highway under the government’s Big Push infrastructure initiative.

The residents say the minister’s explanation that the bypass is necessary to preserve the historic Mankessim Roundabout has raised more questions than answers, especially when similar road works in nearby Winneba were carried out without compromising key landmarks.

Mankessim Residents Question Need for Bypass

Speaking to NewsAfricaGhana, several residents expressed concern over what they described as the neglect of Mankessim in the design of the road project.

They questioned why the government could not reconstruct the road through the town while preserving the culturally significant Mankessim Roundabout.
“Can the road be constructed while still maintaining the cultural heritage at the Mankessim Roundabout?” one resident asked.

Others argued that if engineers were able to redesign sections of the road in Winneba, there should be no reason Mankessim should be bypassed entirely.

The residents are calling on the Roads Minister to provide a detailed explanation and reconsider the decision.

Hon. Kwame Agbodza Explains Mankessim Bypass Plan

During a recent courtesy call, Mr. Agbodza explained that the section from Winneba Junction to Mankessim is a critical part of the national highway network.

According to him, the original road design would have directed heavy construction works through the Mankessim Roundabout, which serves as a historic and cultural landmark.

“From the Winneba Junction to Mankessim is very important. The bypass, as we will see, is also very important because initially the road was directed into Mankessim, and you know that roundabout is a cultural heritage site. We could not undertake this scale of work through the roundabout and still maintain those historic features.”

He added that the government decided to construct a bypass while rehabilitating the existing road to the roundabout to protect the site.

“The idea was to build a bypass and still maintain the road to the roundabout, improving it without tampering with the historical features under the Big Push project.”

Cultural Heritage vs Infrastructure Development

The Mankessim Roundabout is widely regarded as an important cultural symbol in the area, and many residents agree that it should be preserved.

However, they insist that protecting the landmark should not come at the expense of local economic activity and accessibility.

Some residents fear that diverting the main highway away from the town could reduce traffic, hurt local businesses, and slow economic growth.

Calls for Government Engagement
Residents are urging the Ministry of Roads and Highways to engage traditional leaders, community members, and technical experts to explore alternatives that balance heritage preservation with infrastructure development.

They say transparent communication and stakeholder consultation are essential to ensuring the project meets both national and local interests.

Big Push Project and the Winneba–Mankessim Road

The Winneba–Mankessim road forms part of the government’s Big Push programme, which seeks to accelerate major infrastructure development across Ghana.

The project is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel time, and enhance economic activity along one of the country’s busiest transport corridors.
For residents of Mankessim, however, the key concern remains whether the town will benefit fully from the project while preserving its rich cultural heritage.