Upper West: Asenso-Boakye commissions 670km road project

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has officially commissioned 670 kilometres of newly completed roads in the Upper West Region, marking a significant achievement under the Transport Sector Improvement Program (TSIP).

During the ceremony, he emphasised the government’s commitment to improving Ghana’s infrastructure and citizens’ lives, saying, “This significant milestone demonstrates the government’s collective commitment to improving Ghana’s infrastructure and people’s lives.”

The Transport Sector Improvement Programme (TSIP) was launched to support the development of road infrastructure, enhance road safety, and strengthen the capacity of sector agencies, became effective in August 2018.

Asenso-Boakye highlighted the financial support received for the project, noting, “Through this initiative, the World Bank provided funding for projects in the northern and Bono East regions, along with a grant from the European Union for feeder roads in the Upper West Region.”

The EU component specifically focused on roads in the West District and Nadoli-Kaleo, Nandom, and Lambussie-Karni, aiming to promote sustainable agriculture, improve livelihoods, generate economic growth, create stable employment, and protect resources from climate change.

“These roads will help reduce travel time and improve access to health centers, dams, boreholes, farms, and markets, thereby boosting the economic well-being of the beneficiary communities,” the minister added.

Asenso-Boakye underscored the project’s success, noting that all road projects were executed solely by Ghanaian contractors.

“It is instructive to put on record that the road projects were executed solely by Ghanaian contractors, demonstrating our government’s dedication to promoting and empowering local businesses,” he said.

“Lot 1, covering approximately 235 kilometers in Wa Municipal and Wa West District, was executed by Nakfirman Company Limited. Lot 2, encompassing 208 kilometers in Jirapa Municipal and Nadowli-Kaleo, was handled by Memphis Metropolitan Limited. Lot 3, covering approximately 225 kilometers in Nandom Municipal and Lambussie-Karni District, was completed by Akachi Construction Limited.”

The minister also emphasised the importance of community involvement throughout the planning, design, and construction phases of the project.

“One of the distinctive features of this project is the participation of residents through the planning, design, and construction phases,” he stated.

Additionally, the Ministry of Roads and Highways has developed an online grievance and complaint logging system to ensure continuous citizen engagement, further demonstrating the government’s dedication to transparency and accountability.

The Karaga legislator emphasised the critical role of improved connectivity between farms and markets in fostering economic growth and enhancing livelihoods across the Upper West Region.

Mohammed Amin Adam announced his request to the head of the European Union (EU) delegation in Ghana to consider extending their support to cover the remaining districts of the Upper West Region.

“This is important for us,” he noted, highlighting the strategic partnership between Ghana and the EU. He expressed confidence that Ambassador Irshad and the EU would recognise the strategic importance of comprehensive regional development and provide the necessary additional funding.

“This definitely will demonstrate the imminent presence of the EU in the Upper West Region and also in Ghana as a whole,” Anta stated, acknowledging the EU’s interventions across the country aimed at bringing relief and development to the people.

Addressing the local populace, Mohammed Amin Adam reassured the residents of the Upper West Region of the government’s commitment to development under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.

“The mandate you’ve given to our President is so important to him, and he is determined, even as he ends his term, to continue to bring relief to you, to continue to provide for your needs, and to continue to bring much-needed development,” he affirmed.

Mohammed Amin Adam extended his gratitude to the people of the Upper West Region for their unwavering support and urged them to continue standing by the government to facilitate further development.

He called upon Ghana’s development partners, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the African Development Bank, and other bilateral partners, to sustain their support for Ghana’s economic development agenda.

“We need to work together to address the challenges we face and to create an enabling environment for socio-economic development in Ghana,” he emphasised.

Reporting by Alhassan Tajudeen in the Upper West Region