Hafiz Timbile Adams
With growing concerns over delays in key road infrastructure projects under the government’s Big Push agenda across the country, citizens in the Upper West Region are demanding an immediate commencement of the reconstruction of the 195-kilometre Wa-Sawla-Wenchi Road or face positive defiance.
During a working visit to the region by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of the Upper West Region paid a surprise courtesy call on the Minister at the hotel he was residing in and presented to him a petition on the state of work on the Wa-Sawla-Wenchi stretch. Despite the unplanned nature of the visit, the Minister was patient to listen and engage them on the project.
Co-convenor, Mohammed Abdul-Basit, who read the petition on behalf of the group, explained that the action was driven by the contractor’s lack of urgency on the road.
The group expressed frustration over the snail-pace work on the road, threatening they would not hesitate to engage in a series of disruptive actions, including closing the Wa Airport to traffic, if concrete action is not seen on the road in a fortnight.
The petition highlighted the significance of the road as an international route that links to Burkina Faso and Mali, describing it as “a corridor of commerce and movement”. They were, however, quick to point out that “what should have been a vital economic corridor has become an endurance trial.”
Citing the deplorable state of the road, the concerned citizens stressed that the absence of the contractor, Messrs Maripoma Enterprise Limited (MEL), on the road after five months is completely unacceptable. They describe the delay as “a deliberate show of disrespect for the people of the Upper West Region. It was noted that although the Minister recently warned of possible contract terminations for non-performing contractors, the situation on this particular project remains worrying.
According to the group, Messrs Maripoma Enterprise Ltd is reportedly handling several projects, causing this road to be treated with little to no urgency. “To Mr Ali Seidu [MD of MEL], this stretch of the road is the last on his list of priorities; to us in the Upper West Region, it is our economic lifeblood,” they lamented
They said the lack of commitment to the project has collapsed the widespread hope people in the Upper West, Savanna, and Bono East regions had for a good road following the sod cutting in November 2025. “Since being awarded the Sawla-Wa stretch on contract on 29th November 2024 with a 36-month timeline, the company has delivered less than 1% of the work after eighteen months,” the group stated.
The group, therefore, gave government a “2-week ultimatum to show concrete, verifiable action”, stating that they do not want promises or press statements.
“If this ultimatum is ignored, the demonstrations that will follow will be disruptive, sustained, and impossible to ignore. We will take control of our narrative and, if necessary, our infrastructure, including the Upper West Regional Airport,” they warned.
The group demands immediate commencement of full reconstruction works on the road or a reassignment of the project to another without delay if Maripoma cannot “begin real work immediately”. They also want “a clear, enforceable commitment that the project will meet the technical standards and timelines publicly promised by the president” and “a clear commitment to ensuring that the local content requirement is adhered to.”
They urged the Roads Minister to act decisively to eradicate the suspicions that “this project was never about delivery, but about optics and political theatre”.
Failed leadership in the region
Meanwhile, the group also expressed disappointment in Members of Parliament from the Upper West Region, as well as the Regional Minister and the Municipal and District Chief Executives, whom they say share part of the blame for the lack of progress.
“Our members of parliament are incapable of appreciating the trauma people have to endure to travel from Wa to Kumasi” due to their improved circumstances, which allow them to book flights or, at worst, drive in “relatively more comfortable V8 vehicles,” they alleged.
The group furthered that traditional authority in the region have also been lackadaisical in demanding serious work to be done on the road. They wondered how traditional leaders failed to make the worsening condition of the Wa-Sawla stretch a topical issue during the separate visits of the Vice President and the National Chairman of the ruling NDC to the region in recent times.
Minister’s response
Responding to the concerns, the Roads Minister, Governs Agbodza, commended the youth for their peaceful and organised approach in presenting their grievances. He assured them that their concerns would be addressed, reiterating government’s commitment to ensuring that critical infrastructure projects are delivered efficiently for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
He emphasised that the Wenchi to Hamile stretch is not only a national priority but also a key international route, as it connects Ghana to neighbouring Burkina Faso and is vital for regional trade and development.
The Minister acknowledged concerns about contractors taking on multiple projects simultaneously, which often leads to delays. He assured the public that government is taking steps to ensure that contractors deliver on all awarded projects within agreed timelines and at no additional cost to the state.
He stressed that the contractor must “physically demonstrate commitment” by Thursday, emphasising that government will not tolerate substandard performance on such a critical infrastructure project.
Hon. Agbodza further disclosed that he has directed the contractor to appear before the Ministry of Roads and Highways on Thursday to answer questions regarding the progress of work on the stretch. He indicated that the outcome of the meeting will determine whether the company continues with the project or faces termination.
Dismissing claims that recent activity on the road was merely cosmetic, Hon. Agbodza stated that road construction cannot be staged to deceive authorities or the public.
He also highlighted the collaboration between the Upper West and Savannah Regional Ministers, as well as Members of Parliament in the affected areas, assuring that all stakeholders are committed to ensuring the project is executed to standard.
Reaffirming the government’s resolve, the Minister noted that the inspection exercise should not be seen as an attack but rather a necessary wake-up call to the contractors. He underscored that government road projects are designed to empower Ghanaian contractors, engineers, and suppliers, adding that it would be disappointing if local firms fail to meet expectations. The Minister concluded by assuring residents that the road will be completed, stressing that accountability and performance remain non-negotiable under the current administration.
