President John Dramani Mahama yesterday cut the sod for the construction of the Wenchi–Bole–Sawla–Wa roads, marking another bold stride under the government’s Big Push Project — an ambitious infrastructure drive aimed at stimulating development, enhancing connectivity, and improving quality of life across the country.
The sod-cutting for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Wenchi–Wa road took place at Sawla.
For decades, the people of the Upper West, Savannah, Bono, and parts of the Northern regions have endured untold hardships due to the deplorable state of these roads. Travelling on that stretch has often been a nightmare — a journey riddled with dust and deep potholes.
Motorists have spent endless hours covering distances that should take minutes, with tragic consequences. Numerous accidents have claimed lives, maimed breadwinners, and left families shattered.
Equally troubling has been the surge in armed robbery attacks along these deplorable routes. Criminals have capitalised on the poor road conditions to ambush travellers, robbing them of their possessions and subjecting them to inhumane treatment.
The Ghanaian Times reiterates that the absence of good roads is not merely an inconvenience; it is a developmental and security deficit that has long stifled economic activity and eroded public confidence in the state’s ability to deliver basic infrastructure.
The Wenchi–Wa road, which forms part of the Trans-ECOWAS Highway, carries even greater significance. It serves as a vital trade link connecting Ghana to Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire — countries that rely heavily on Ghana’s ports and markets.
It is our view, therefore, that the road’s reconstruction transcends domestic benefit; it is an investment in regional integration, trade facilitation, and cross-border cooperation. It also strengthens Ghana’s position as a transport and logistics hub in West Africa.
While this sod-cutting ceremony is laudable, it must not end as another political ritual. Ghanaians have witnessed far too many such ceremonies where the excitement fades quickly, leaving behind abandoned equipment and unfulfilled promises.
The success of the Big Push Project, therefore, depends largely on the commitment to timely execution, quality assurance, and accountability. Contractors who will be engaged in the construction of the roads must be held to the highest professional standards. Poor workmanship, cost overruns, and delays must not be tolerated.
We exhort the supervising agencies, particularly the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Highway Authority, to ensure strict monitoring to guarantee value for money. Every cedi invested should translate into a road that endures Ghana’s tropical climate and heavy traffic for years to come.
Beyond the immediate relief to motorists, these road projects promise to revitalise agriculture, trade, and tourism in northern Ghana. They will open up rural communities, create jobs, and stimulate local economies. Improved access to markets will empower farmers, reduce post-harvest losses, and attract investment to the subregion.
President Mahama’s initiative is, therefore, a commendable step in the right direction. However, its true success will be measured not by speeches or ceremonies, but by asphalt laid, journeys shortened, and lives saved.
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