Kasoa to Accra Traffic: Why Traffic Gets Worse at Old Barrier and How to Avoid It (2026 Guide)
Kasoa to Accra Traffic: Why Traffic Gets Worse at Old Barrier and How to Avoid It (2026 Guide)
*SLUG:* kasoa-accra-traffic-old-barrier-avoid-2026
*META DESCRIPTION:* Kasoa to Accra traffic has worsened in 2026. Why does traffic get worse at Old Barrier, Weija and Mallam? http://Kasoanews.com spoke to drivers at Kasoa New Market on best time to leave Kasoa to avoid traffic.
Travelling from Kasoa to Accra has become one of the most stressful experiences for residents of Kasoa, Ofaakor, Budumburam, Millennium City and surrounding communities in 2026, with many commuters spending between two to four hours on the road every morning.
A survey by http://Kasoanews.com at Kasoa New Market Lorry Station, Kasoa Old Barrier Station, and Millennium City Junction between October 12 and 14, 2026, shows that traffic congestion on the Kasoa-Winneba-Accra highway has worsened significantly in the last six months, affecting workers, traders, students and drivers.
For many people who moved to Kasoa because of affordable rent, the traffic has now become the hidden cost of living in Kasoa.
*What Time Does Kasoa to Accra Traffic Start?*
According to drivers who operate the Kasoa to Circle, Kaneshie, and Lapaz routes, traffic from Kasoa to Accra now starts as early as 5:00 am on weekdays.
Mr. Kwabena Asare, a sprinter bus driver who has been driving the Kasoa-Circle route for eight years, told http://Kasoanews.com that if you leave Kasoa after 6:00 am, you should prepare to spend at least three hours on the road.
“Formerly, if you left Kasoa at 6:30 am, you could get to Circle by 8:00 am. Now, if you leave at 6:30 am, you will get to Circle at 10:00 am or 10:30 am. The road is full. Everywhere from Kasoa to Accra is blocked. Old Barrier is the worst,” he said.
Another driver, Mr. Issah Mohammed, who drives Kasoa to Weija to Kaneshie, said Monday mornings and Friday evenings are the worst days.
“On Monday morning, everyone is going to work in Accra. Friday evening, everyone is returning to Kasoa. On those days, traffic can start from Kasoa Tollbooth area and never end until Mallam. Sometimes we spend one hour just at Old Barrier alone,” he explained.
Commuters confirmed the drivers’ accounts.
Madam Esi Coleman, a trader who sells provisions at Kaneshie Market but lives at Millennium City, said she now wakes up at 3:30 am to be able to leave Kasoa by 4:45 am.
“If I leave Kasoa at 4:45 am, I can get to Kaneshie by 6:30 am and open my shop. If I leave at 6:00 am, I will get to Kaneshie at 9:30 am and my customers would have gone to buy from other people. I sleep only four hours because of traffic,” she said.
A student of Accra Technical University who lives at Budumburam, Kwame Owusu, said he has missed lectures several times because of Kasoa traffic.
“Our first lecture is 7:30 am. If I leave Budumburam at 5:00 am, I still get to campus late because of Weija and Mallam traffic. Some lecturers don’t understand that Kasoa traffic is not our fault,” he said.
*Why Is Traffic Worse at Old Barrier, Weija and Mallam?*
http://Kasoanews.com observed five major reasons why traffic congestion is worse at Old Barrier, Weija, and Mallam Junction.
*1. Population Growth in Kasoa:* Kasoa is currently one of the fastest-growing towns in Ghana. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, Awutu Senya East Municipality has a population growth rate of over 3.5%. Thousands of people relocate to Kasoa every month from Accra, Cape Coast, and Winneba due to affordable rent and land, but they still work in Accra. More people means more cars and more buses on the same road.
*2. Narrow Road at Old Barrier:* The road at Old Barrier near Weija is narrow and serves as a bottleneck. Three lanes from Kasoa side merge into two lanes. When combined with broken-down vehicles and traders selling close to the road, it creates a serious bottleneck.
*3. Weija Dam Area and Ongoing Construction:* Construction works and occasional flooding near Weija and Weija Dam area sometimes reduce the road to one lane. When it rains, water collects on parts of the road, slowing vehicles.
*4. Lack of Alternative Roads:* There are very few alternative routes from Kasoa to Accra. Most vehicles must use the main Kasoa-Winneba-Accra highway. The Bortianor-Kokrobite-Old Barrier bypass is in poor condition and many drivers avoid it.
*5. Activities of Trotro and Okada at Bus Stops:* At Kasoa Old Barrier, Weija, Mallam, and Kasoa Tollbooth, commercial drivers (trotro) stop in the middle of the road to pick passengers. Okada riders also park at intersections. This blocks traffic flow.
*Best Time to Leave Kasoa to Avoid Traffic in 2026*
Based on interviews with drivers and our own observation, here is a practical guide for commuters:
*If you are going from Kasoa to Accra (Circle, Kaneshie, Lapaz):*
– Best time to leave: 4:30 am to 5:00 am — You will get to Accra in 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.
– Manageable time: 5:00 am to 5:30 am — You will get to Accra in 2 hours.
– Avoid: 6:00 am to 9:00 am — You will spend 3 to 4 hours. Worst traffic.
– Midday: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm — Traffic reduces, good for traders going to buy goods.
*If you are returning from Accra to Kasoa:*
– Best time to leave Accra: Before 3:00 pm
– Avoid: 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm — This is peak return traffic, especially at Mallam, Weija, and Old Barrier. On Fridays, avoid 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
– Late night: After 9:00 pm traffic clears.
*Alternative Routes to Try*
Some drivers advised commuters to try alternative routes when main road is blocked:
– *Millennium City to Bortianor to Kokrobite to Old Barrier:* This route bypasses Kasoa Tollbooth traffic but road is rough. Good for private cars, not sprinter.
– *Kasoa to Amasaman to Pokuase to Lapaz:* Longer distance but less traffic in early morning.
– *Use public transport with bus lanes where available* and avoid driving alone to reduce cars.
*What Should Government and ASEMA Do?*
Residents are calling on the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly (ASEMA), and the Ga South Municipal Assembly to take urgent action.
They want:
– Completion of the Kasoa to Mallam road expansion project
– Construction of alternative bypass from Millennium City to Weija
– Strict enforcement by police to prevent trotro drivers from stopping in the middle of the road at Old Barrier
– Regular removal of broken-down vehicles from the highway
– Construction of proper bus stops at Weija and Old Barrier
The traffic situation is affecting business. Some companies in Accra have started allowing staff who live in Kasoa to work from home two days a week due to lateness.
For now, commuters say they have no choice but to wake up earlier and sleep less.
http://Kasoanews.com will continue to monitor the Kasoa to Accra traffic situation and provide weekly updates.
What time do you leave Kasoa to Accra? How many hours do you spend in traffic at Old Barrier? Tell us in the comments and mention your area — Budumburam, Millennium City, Ofaakor, Walantu, or Kasoa New Market.
*AUTHOR BOX:*
Written by: http://Kasoanews.com Transport Desk | Field Report by http://Kasoanews.com at Kasoa New Market Lorry Station, October 2026
Contact: http://kasoanews.com/contact — Report traffic situation at your area
*FAQ SCHEMA (Add in Yoast FAQ):*
Q1: What time does Kasoa to Accra traffic start? A: 5:00am weekdays
Q2: How long from Kasoa to Accra in traffic? A: 2-4 hours after 6am
Q3: Why is Old Barrier always blocked? A: Narrow road + bottleneck
