Wa-Tumu-Bolgatanga road upgrade will unlock agriculture, trade— Agbodza

Minister for Roads and Highways outlines government commitment to complete strategic northern corridor within four-year mandate

The ongoing upgrade of the Wa-Tumu-Bolgatanga road corridor is expected to open up new economic opportunities for communities across the Upper West and Upper East Regions by improving the movement of farm produce, goods and people, Roads and Highways Minister Governs Kwame Agbodza has said .

Mr Agbodza said the government was determined to complete the various road projects along the corridor within its four-year mandate, despite the significant financial obligations inherited from previous administrations. He stated that the government would continue to prioritise projects considered essential to national development while working within available resources .

The Minister explained that completing the Tumu Road and other projects towards the border would constitute one of the government’s biggest direct investments in the area during its first term. According to him, improved connectivity would strengthen agriculture, facilitate trade and create opportunities for residents, particularly young people and farmers who depend on reliable roads to transport their produce to markets .

Completion Timeline

Speaking during a road inspection tour on Thursday, September 3, Mr Agbodza announced that the Ministry plans to complete the Wa–Han–Tumu–Bolgatanga Road by the end of 2027 . The Minister directed contractors to carry out pothole patching and other sectional repairs on existing sections of the road to improve safety and ease movement for motorists while construction continues .

“By the end of 2027 from Wa to Bolga has to be fully completed. There’s no reason we can’t do it,” he stated, expressing confidence that motorists would soon be able to travel safely and smoothly from Wa through Tumu to Bolgatanga as work progresses on the different sections .

Background: A Historic Challenge

The Wa-Tumu-Bolgatanga Road has been a nightmare for many users for decades. The road, which could easily link the Upper East and Upper West Regions, has remained in a deplorable state for many years . Travellers setting out from Bolgatanga to Wa at 7 am often arrive after seven hours instead of the expected four hours .

Road users have endured frequent vehicle breakdowns, armed robbery incidents, road accidents, and post-harvest losses . Women have reportedly experienced miscarriages during journeys on the stretch, while transport fares have remained high due to the poor road conditions .

The road has also been a source of political controversy, with previous governments facing criticism for failing to prioritise its construction . The corridor is considered strategically important as the two regions share borders with Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, making an improved road network essential for regional trade and revenue generation .

Government Commitment

President John Dramani Mahama has previously described the road as a priority under the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure programme, which involves a $10 billion investment over five years, with a significant portion allocated to road construction .

“We want to connect the Upper East to the Upper West through Tumu. From Bolga through to Navrongo through Tumu all the way to Wa with a first-class road,” President Mahama said during a recent tour .

The President, accompanied by Mr Agbodza, inspected ongoing works on the project as part of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper East Region, assuring residents that the Navrongo–Chuchuliga–Tumu–Wa Road would be completed by 2028 .

To demonstrate government commitment, the project has been broken down into lots and assigned to different contractors to speed up work .

Regional Perspective

Regional Highways Engineer Livistone Damali confirmed that construction was ongoing on almost all sections of the road . Sissala East MP Mohammed Issah Bataglia and Tumu Landlord Baba Tommy Kantong welcomed the projects and expressed hope that they would provide a lasting solution to the area’s longstanding road challenges .

Sissala West District Chief Executive Fuseini Gbene Abudu highlighted that the Wa-Tumu-Bolgatanga Road is vital for transporting agricultural products, and its timely completion is crucial for enhancing the local economy .

The improved connectivity is expected to facilitate grain trade, enhance livelihoods, and stimulate entrepreneurship, allowing businesses to capitalise on improved connectivity . Farmers who have long desired to engage in commercial agriculture but have been restricted by poor road conditions are expected to benefit significantly, as produce will no longer remain stranded at farm gates after harvest .

For residents of the Upper West and Upper East Regions, the promise of a first-class road connecting their communities represents a long-awaited transformation that could finally unlock the economic potential of the northern corridors .