The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the strategic Bolgatanga–Bawku–Pulmakom Road by the end of 2027, describing the corridor as one of Ghana’s most important transport routes.
Speaking during an inspection of the project with President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister explained that work on the road originally commenced in 2016 under a loan arrangement but was interrupted following the change of government.
Although efforts were later made to revive the project through additional borrowing, construction stalled again because of Ghana’s debt crisis.
Mr. Agbodza clarified that the various “lots” along the corridor are not separate contracts but sections of the same road project, divided only to facilitate execution.
He disclosed that President Mahama had consistently followed up on the project’s progress and had directed the Ministry to ensure its completion alongside the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme by the end of 2027.
According to the Minister, government has abandoned plans to continue financing the project through external loans and has instead placed it on the national budget following consultations with the Minister for Finance.
“We have engaged the contractors, and we are no longer proceeding with the loans. We had a very fruitful discussion with the Minister for Finance, and he encouraged us to put the project on the national budget, which we have done,” he said.
Mr. Agbodza announced that contractors have returned to site and have begun mobilising equipment and preparing for full-scale construction.
“Today, you will notice that the contractors are back on site. They have started cleaning up, bringing in equipment and preparing to commence full-scale work,” he stated.
He explained that the previous suspension of work resulted from the contractor not being paid on an outstanding certificate worth €28 million. To facilitate the resumption of construction, government will immediately release at least €8 million to provide the contractor with the liquidity needed to continue work.
“The Minister for Finance is supporting us to pay at least €8 million of that amount immediately to provide them with the liquidity they need to return to site and continue the work,” he noted.
The Roads Minister assured residents that the contractor would remain on site until the project is completed.
“This time around, we commit that the contractor will not leave the site for any reason. God willing, we shall finish,” he pledged.
Responding to concerns raised by residents of Zibila, Mr. Agbodza acknowledged that access roads to key community facilities had been omitted from the original scope of work. He assured the community that government would address the oversight by constructing access roads to important locations, including health centres, schools and the chief’s palace.
He also praised the contractor for the quality of work already executed and expressed confidence that, with sustained government support, the Bolgatanga–Bawku–Pulmakom Road would be completed on schedule, significantly improving transport connectivity between northern Ghana and neighbouring countries.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
