Mahama: Wa-Han road will be completed before end of 2027

President John Dramani Mahama has assured residents of the Upper West and Upper East regions that the Wa-Han road will be completed before the end of 2027, describing the strategic highway as a flagship project under his government’s Big Push infrastructure programme.

Speaking during an inspection of the road as part of his Resetting Ghana Tour in the Upper West Region, President Mahama said the route was prioritised because it links two regional capitals .

“When we’re doing the selection of the Big Push projects, we prioritise roads that link regional capitals. And this is one of the roads that links the Upper East regional capital with the Upper West region. So it’s a very important road indeed,” he said .

From Forgotten Highway to Flagship Project

The Wa-Han-Tumu-Navrongo corridor has long been one of Ghana’s most neglected roads, with residents enduring decades of difficult travel between Wa and Bolgatanga . President Mahama recalled travelling along the road during his childhood to visit his father’s friend in Tumu, noting that many people had believed the highway would never be reconstructed .

“Indeed, it has been in a very poor condition since our fathers’ time. People believed that this road would never, ever be done,” he said .

The president expressed confidence that ongoing works would deliver a smoother connection between the two regional capitals within the stated timeline.

“I believe that today we can see that in just some months, that is before the end of 2027, we will have a very comfortable ride between the two regional capitals,” he said .

Asphalt Overlay to Extend Road Lifespan

President Mahama revealed that the road would receive more than standard surface treatment, with the entire stretch from Wa to Bolgatanga to be sealed with asphalt after the double surface dressing .

“After the double surface dressing, we will seal the entire road with asphalt from Wa to Bolgatanga. That will ensure the road lasts for at least the next 20 years and requires only minimal maintenance,” he stated .

The president commended the contractor handling the project, describing it as one of the country’s oldest contracting companies with extensive experience in road construction and a strong record of delivering quality projects in the Upper West Region .

Big Push to Be Rolled Out in Phases

President Mahama used the occasion to explain the government’s phased approach to road infrastructure development, acknowledging that many communities were eager to see their roads constructed immediately.

“I just want to assure people, everybody thinks that we can do all their roads at once. We cannot do that. There’s a limit to the budget that we have,” he said .

He explained that Phase One of the Big Push prioritises strategic trunk roads linking regional capitals and major economic corridors, while subsequent phases would extend to feeder roads connecting communities to the main highway network .

“So this Big Push Phase One, we’re scoping Big Push Phase Two, and there’ll be a Big Push Phase Three,” President Mahama stated .

According to him, completing the trunk road network first would enable residents from every constituency to access the main highways safely before feeder roads are expanded into local communities .

Background: The Wa-Han Road Project

The Wa-Han road project has a long and troubled history. A sod-cutting ceremony for the construction and tarring of a 30-kilometre stretch was first held in March 2011 under President John Atta Mills, with P.W. Ghanem Ltd contracted to execute the project at a cost of GHC34 million . According to Ghana Highway Authority records, the project formally commenced on May 15, 2011, with a completion date of December 5, 2019, and GHC41.17 million certified to date .

The broader Wa-Han-Tumu-Navrongo corridor spans over 260 kilometres across the Upper West and Upper East Regions and represents a GHC3.7 billion investment, making it the largest road development initiative in the area in recent history . The project covers the Wa-Bulenga-Yaala and Wa-Han roads, Tumu-Han-Lawra and Navrongo-Tumu-Sandema regional links, as well as border access roads connecting Tumu to Hamile, Sissili, Chuchuliga, and Navrongo .

Big Push: A National Infrastructure Drive

The Big Push programme is the flagship infrastructure initiative of the Mahama administration. During the 2026 State of the Nation Address, President Mahama announced that 50 major road projects spanning 1,144 kilometres were underway at an estimated cost of GHC50 billion, describing it as the largest investment in the country’s road sector in history . In addition to the 50 new projects, the government is completing 23 inherited road contracts covering 573 kilometres at a cost of GHC15 billion .

Altogether, nearly 2,000 kilometres of roads are being rehabilitated across all 16 regions, with 73 projects showing visible progress . The programme aims to open economic corridors, create jobs, and reduce the cost of doing business.

President Mahama said the road inspection was the first activity on his two-day tour of the Upper West Region, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving connectivity in northern Ghana and delivering on its infrastructure promises .