GHANAIANS WILL HAVE THE BEST ROADS IN WEST AFRICA IN 24 MONTHS UNDER ‘BIG PUSH’ – President Mahama
President Cuts Sod for Critical Wenchi-Wa Road, Apologizes in Advance for Nationwide Construction Inconvenience
President John Mahama has declared that Ghana is set to possess the best road network in West Africa within the next 24 months, as his government rolls out an ambitious nationwide infrastructure program dubbed the “Big Push Initiative.”
The President made the announcement at the sod-cutting ceremony for the upgrading of the crucial 195-kilometer Wenchi–Bole–Sawla–Wa Road, a project he described as a vital step in opening up the country’s agricultural corridors and connecting the middle belt to northern markets.
He expressed regret over the deterioration of the strategic route, which carries over 2,000 vehicles and 4,000 tonnes of goods daily. “Potholes, failed pavements, and broken drains have made travel difficult and hazardous… This is unacceptable in modern Ghana,” President Mahama stated, noting that travel times on the stretch had ballooned to eight hours and armed robberies had increased due to the slow movement of traffic.
In a direct address to the nation, the President issued an apology and a plea for patience, forecasting significant short-term inconvenience for long-term gain.
“I wish to repeat my apology and regret to the people of Ghana that with the start of the Big Push, the whole country is going to be a construction site for the next two years,” he said. “Wherever you go, roads will be under construction. I ask Ghanaians to be patient and accept the inconvenience because 24 months after the launch, you will have the best roads in West Africa.”
The President outlined the transformative benefits of the Wenchi-Wa road project, expecting it to cut travel time by more than half, reduce road accidents by about 45%, and lower vehicle operating costs by 40%. He directly linked this infrastructure drive to his government’s flagship “24-hour economy” policy, explaining that “good roads support production, processing, and logistics to run continuously.”
In a related and notable announcement, President Mahama revealed that the Ghana Prisons Service would be integrated into the 24-hour economy framework. He stated that prison industries would begin operating around the clock, manufacturing furniture, sewing school uniforms, and processing agricultural products. This initiative, he said, is designed to generate income for the service and equip inmates with practical skills for their reintegration into society.
The President also directed contractors on the Wenchi-Wa project to prioritize the hiring of local labour and sourcing from local suppliers to boost job creation and stimulate local economies.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
