The government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom road project by the end of 2027, with the contractor now back on site after years of delays.

The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Agbodza, made this known during an inspection of the project, describing the corridor as one of the most important road networks in Ghana.

According to the Minister, work on the project first commenced in 2016 under loan financing but was subsequently abandoned following a change of government. Efforts to revive the project led to another loan arrangement, but the project stalled again amid Ghana’s debt crisis.

Mr. Agbodza clarified that the various sections of the project referred to as “lots” are not separate projects being executed by different contractors.

He explained that the sections were created simply to facilitate the execution of the same road project.

The Minister said President John Dramani Mahama has repeatedly demanded updates on the project and directed the Roads Ministry to do whatever is necessary to ensure its completion alongside the government’s Big Push projects by the end of 2027.

Project moves to budget financing
Mr. Agbodza disclosed that government has abandoned the previous loan-based financing arrangement and has instead placed the project on the national budget.

He said the Ministry had engaged the contractors and, following discussions with the Finance Minister, secured support to provide the funding required to get the project moving again.

He noted that the contractor had previously raised a certificate worth €28 million but had not received payment, a situation which contributed to the contractor’s inability to continue work.

The Finance Ministry, he said, is supporting the Roads Ministry to make an immediate payment of at least €8 million to provide the contractor with the liquidity needed to resume construction.

According to him, the contractor has already returned to site, with workers cleaning up, mobilising equipment and preparing to commence full-scale construction.

“We are committed to making sure that they do not leave the site again,” Mr. Agbodza said, stressing government’s determination to see the project completed.

Zebila access roads to be addressed
The Roads Minister also responded to concerns raised by a senior citizen in Zebila over the provision of access roads to important community facilities.

Mr. Agbodza acknowledged that the provision of access roads to key facilities such as health centres, schools, chiefs’ palaces and other important locations is normally incorporated into major road projects.

He admitted that Zebila had been left out of that provision and assured residents that the situation would be rectified.

“We missed that provision in Zebila Town. We are therefore going to rectify it,” he said, adding that the concern would be addressed publicly as requested.

Government confident of completion
Mr. Agbodza commended the contractor for the work already undertaken along the corridor, describing it as a capable contractor that has consistently delivered quality work.

He expressed confidence that, with renewed government financing and supervision, construction would remain on course until completion.

The Minister said government remains committed to ensuring that the contractor does not abandon the site again and that the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom corridor is completed alongside the President’s Big Push road projects.

“With your authority, Your Excellency, the contractor is back on site, and we are determined to complete this project alongside your Big Push projects on this corridor,” he said.

He concluded by expressing optimism that the project would be completed on schedule.

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