Agbodza Vows to Close 40km Gap on Gbentri-Nakpanduri Road Left by Previous Government

Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Governs Agbodza has pledged to find a lasting solution to a 40-kilometre stretch of the Gbentri-Nakpanduri Road that was excluded from the existing construction contract, leaving a critical break in the Eastern Corridor network that has frustrated motorists and left communities stranded.

Speaking during an inspection of ongoing works, Agbodza attributed the omission to decisions taken under the previous administration, specifically the handling of projects undertaken through supplier-credit arrangements. He said some contractors operating under those arrangements had been permitted to reduce the scope of their contracts, abandoning important sections of road projects and creating gaps that have complicated efforts to deliver continuous infrastructure .

The minister assured residents and road users that the government would work towards addressing the outstanding section and ease the difficulties faced by commuters who depend on the route .

A Corridor With a Missing Link

The Gbentri-Nakpanduri Road forms part of the Eastern Corridor, a vital transport artery linking Ghana's southern ports and industrial centres to the northern regions and onward to Burkina Faso. The corridor's importance extends beyond connectivity: it serves as a lifeline for agricultural trade, security operations, and access to essential services for communities along its path.

The current construction project covers 44 kilometres under the government's Big Push Programme, awarded to Mawums Limited at a contract sum of approximately GH¢1.04 billion. Work commenced in September 2025 and was reported to have reached 25.73 percent completion by May 2026, with an expected completion date of January 2028 .

But the 40-kilometre stretch Agbodza now confronts sits outside that contract—a legacy of scope reductions that left a hole in the middle of an otherwise progressing corridor.

The Supplier-Credit Legacy

Agbodza's diagnosis points to a broader pattern in Ghana's infrastructure financing. Supplier-credit arrangements, often involving Chinese contractors and financing mechanisms, allowed projects to proceed without upfront capital expenditure. But when contractors were permitted to descale their obligations—reducing the scope of work while still receiving payment—the result was incomplete roads and stranded assets .

The minister has previously acknowledged the scale of the problem. In May 2026, he disclosed that the government inherited road sector debts of nearly GH¢40 billion, including interest obligations to contractors, and had since paid approximately GH¢12 billion to settle arrears . He insisted then that the government would not cancel inherited projects, but the financial and contractual complications have left their mark on the network.

Security Concerns Along the Route

The incomplete state of the road has had consequences beyond inconvenience. Residents along the Gbintri-Nakpanduri stretch have reported armed robbery incidents, with community members describing an inability to travel at night. Authorities have planned a police station along the road to improve security, with the contractor reportedly providing vehicles for patrols .

While Agbodza's inspection focused on the infrastructure gap, the security implications underscore how unfinished roads can become vectors for crime—isolated stretches with poor visibility and limited traffic creating opportunities for banditry.

A Broader Push on the Eastern Corridor

The minister's pledge on the 40-kilometre stretch comes amid a wider government effort to complete the Eastern Corridor. President John Dramani Mahama announced in early November 2026 that most sections of the corridor would be completed by the end of 2027, with construction of the Volivo Bridge over the Southern Volta River scheduled to begin in the first quarter of that year .

Agbodza himself has been on an aggressive inspection schedule across the corridor, publicly dressing down underperforming contractors and threatening contractual penalties. His approach has signalled a shift from the previous administration's tolerance of scope reductions and stalled works—a shift he framed explicitly during the Gbentri-Nakpanduri inspection.

The question now is whether the government can identify funding for the orphaned 40-kilometre section and integrate it into the broader corridor programme before the 2027 completion targets slip further from reach.

Key Facts:

· Gap: 40km stretch of Gbentri-Nakpanduri Road excluded from existing contract

· Cause: Scope reductions permitted under previous government's supplier-credit arrangements

· Current project: 44km rehabilitation under Big Push Programme, awarded to Mawums Limited at ~GH¢1.04bn

· Progress: 25.73% completion as of May 2026; expected completion January 2028

· Minister's pledge: Find lasting solution to the abandoned section

· Context: Eastern Corridor targeted for most sections to be completed by end of 2027