Key Infrastructure Development in Ghana
President John Dramani Mahama recently participated in the sod-cutting ceremony for the reconstruction of the Wenchi-Bole-Sawla-Wa Highway. This project is a significant part of the Government’s Big Push national infrastructure development programme, which aims to enhance connectivity and economic growth across the country.
The highway spans 195 kilometers and has been divided into seven lots to ensure that work can be carried out simultaneously, thereby expediting the completion process. Once finished, this Northwestern corridor highway will improve the flow of traffic from Wenchi in the Bono Region through Sawla in the Savannah Region to Wa in the Upper West Region. It will also extend across Ghana’s land border to the Sahelian states such as Burkina Faso and Mali.
Project Details and Benefits
The asphalt project includes comprehensive pavement reconstruction and widening, along with upgrades to drainage and culverts to manage heavy rainfall effectively. The construction will involve asphalt and concrete surfacing, and improvements to town roads such as Bamboi, Banda-NKwanta, and Tenga. When the road reaches Bole Township, it will become a dual carriageway.
Construction was initially planned to take 24 months, but the contractors have assured President Mahama that they will complete the work ahead of schedule. The companies involved in the project include Chinese-Ghanaian firms such as CIWE, Polychangda Overseas Engineering Company, China Railway No.5 Engineering Company, and Maripoma Limited, one of Ghana’s top road construction companies. These contractors were chosen for their proven competence and integrity.
Commitment to Quality and Standards
President Mahama emphasized that the government will not tolerate delays or substandard work. He stressed the importance of compliance with the highest technical standards, environmental protection, and transparent oversight by the Ghana Highway Authority and the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
He highlighted that once completed, travel time between Wenchi and Wa would be reduced by more than 50%, while vehicle operating costs would decrease by over 40%. Road accidents are expected to drop by approximately 45%. The improved infrastructure is anticipated to boost agricultural output and trade, ensuring that farm produce reaches markets on time. This will benefit teachers, farmers, and traders alike, enabling them to perform their duties without delay.
Vision for a 24-Hour Economy
President Mahama described the project as a key component of the 24-hour economy, where quality infrastructure allows production, processing, and logistics to operate continuously, creating jobs and supporting livelihoods across Ghana.
The rehabilitation of the Wenchi-Bole-Sawla-Wa Highway is part of a broader transformation of Ghana’s northwestern corridor under the Big Push Agenda. The Government plans to reconstruct the Fufulso-Sawla Road, complete the Bole-Mandari-Chaché connection to the Ivory Coast border, and integrate these into a continuous high-quality highway stretching from Techiman through Wenchi, Bamboi, Sawla, Wa, and Hamile.
This initiative will connect the agricultural heartlands of the Middle Belt to their northern frontier and regional markets in the Sahel. The sod-cutting ceremony also marks the beginning of the rehabilitation of the Fufulso-Sawla Road, which was funded under a previous administration with a loan from the African Development Bank.
Apology and Call for Patience
President Mahama expressed his apology and regrets to the people of Ghana for the disruptions caused by the Big Push, noting that the whole country will be a construction site for the next two years. He urged Ghanaians to be patient and accept the inconvenience, assuring them that after 24 months, they will have the best roads in West Africa.
Mr. Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister of Roads and Highways, assured the contractors that there would be no delay in payments for work done.
