Government commits to complete key road corridor

The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has assured that work on the Bolgatanga- Bawku-Pulmakom Road corridor, one of Ghana’s most important corridors, will be completed on schedule, following renewed government commitment and financial support.

He gave the assurance while briefing President Mahama during his Resetting Ghana tour on Thursday, explaining that construction began in 2016 but stalled multiple times due to funding challenges and the national debt crisis.

The Minister clarified that the project sections, often referred to as “lots,” are not separate contracts but divisions of the same project to ease execution.

He noted that the President’s directive to ensure completion of the project alongside the Big Push initiatives by 2027 has led to fresh engagement with contractors.

“Instead of relying on loans, the project has now been placed on the national budget, with the Ministry of Finance providing immediate liquidity support,” he said.

Mr Agbodza said at least €8 million is being released to contractors to resume full-scale work after previously raising an unpaid certificate of €28 million, adding that contractors have since returned to site, cleaning up and mobilising equipment.

He pledged that they will not leave the site again, stating, “This time around, we commit that the contractor will not leave the site for any reason. God willing, we shall finish.”

The Minister also acknowledged concerns raised by a senior citizen about missing access roads in Zibila Town, promising that three to four kilometres of routes to health centres, schools, and chiefs’ palaces will be added.

Commending the contractor’s track record of high-quality delivery, Mr Agbodza expressed confidence that, under presidential authority, the corridor will be completed on schedule, transforming travel between Bolgatanga and Wa.