Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has inspected ongoing construction works on the Wa-Han Road in the Upper West Region. This visit is part of the President's two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper West Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the road is a significant highway linking Wa, the Upper West Regional Capital, and Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Capital. The primary purpose of the President's Resetting Ghana Tour is to bring governance closer to the grassroots, inspect ongoing infrastructure projects, and directly engage citizens and traditional leaders on national development priorities.
President Mahama highlighted the road's importance under the Big Push programme, emphasizing that roads linking regional capitals were prioritized. He noted the road's historical poor condition and the widespread belief that it would never be completed. The President expressed optimism that by the end of 2027, the road would provide a comfortable ride between the two regional capitals.
The President mentioned that the contractor for the project, known locally as 'Wadie,' is one of the oldest contracting firms in the country, having previously worked on the Wa-Bole-Bamboi Road and other projects in the region. He expressed satisfaction with the contractor's involvement and mentioned plans to allocate additional road projects to the company.
President Mahama acknowledged the limitations of the current budget, which necessitated a phased approach to the Big Push programme. He outlined plans to progress from trunk roads to feeder roads that connect with the main highway, ensuring safe and comfortable journeys for all constituencies.
He emphasized completing the trunk roads first to facilitate connectivity and subsequently extending feeder roads into communities and towns. The President expressed confidence in the quality of the construction work and anticipated returning next year to commission the road. He noted plans to seal the road with asphalt from Wa to Bolgatanga, ensuring durability for at least 20 years with minimal maintenance.