Accra: Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister of Roads and Highways, has assured the chiefs and people of the Wa West District that the Wa-Dorimon-Wechiau-Ga road will be constructed under the second phase of the Big Push for Infrastructure Development Programme. He explained that other critical roads in the Upper West Region would also be assessed for inclusion in the programme, with some being addressed under the Road Maintenance Trust Fund and the Ghana Market Access Programme.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister was responding to a request by Mr Peter Lanchene Toobu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Wa West Constituency. Mr Toobu had appealed to the government to consider critical roads in the constituency, including the Wa-Dorimon-Wechiau-Ga road and the Poyentanga-Naahaa road. The appeal coincided with the President's inspection of the 24-Hour Economy Market project at Poyentanga.
Mr Toobu emphasized that paving the Wa-Dorimon-Wechiau-Ga road would significantly transform the district and increase business volume at the market. He also urged the government to construct steel bridges linking Kuuchileyir and Workura communities, as well as Lose and Varenpere communities, to improve connectivity and support market development. He highlighted that these infrastructure projects would enhance economic activities, especially for women and farmers.
Responding to these appeals, Mr Agbodza reiterated the government's commitment to addressing the country's road infrastructure deficit, noting that project prioritization was necessary to ensure completion. He mentioned that the World Bank's Ghana Market Access Programme, focusing on constructing trunk roads to connect areas of significant agricultural importance, would benefit the Upper West Region. The programme covers 5,000 kilometers of roads nationwide, with the first phase expected to commence before the end of the year. Mr Agbodza stated that Upper West is benefiting from four projects in the initial 2050 kilometers.
Furthermore, Mr Agbodza revealed that some road projects under the Road Maintenance Trust Fund would begin this year, with four projects scheduled to start in September. He acknowledged the overwhelming number of road project requests due to the poor state of many roads. He appealed to stakeholders for support in completing ongoing projects before initiating additional ones.
The Minister highlighted the government's financial challenges, having inherited a debt of about GHS40 billion in 2024, of which nearly GHS25 billion has already been paid. He reaffirmed the government's determination to complete inherited projects. Mr Agbodza urged contractors working on the Big Push projects to diligently support the communities they serve, commending Astee Company Limited for assisting neighboring communities with road improvements outside its contract's scope.