President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the rehabilitation of the 195-kilometre Wenchi–Wa road, describing the project as a major step under the government’s Big Push national infrastructure programme.
Speaking at the ceremony at Sawla in the Savannah Region on Tuesday, President Mahama said the upgraded road would reduce travel time between Wenchi and Wa by more than 50 per cent.
He said the corridor was an important national and international route linking the Bono East, Savannah, and Upper West Regions, and serving as a transit road to Burkina Faso and Mali.
The rehabilitation works will include widening sections of the road, providing new drainage systems, and applying durable asphalt surfacing to ensure quality and longevity. Safety features such as guardrails, signage, and clearly marked lanes will also be installed.
President Mahama noted that vehicle operating costs were expected to decline by over 40 per cent upon completion, while road crashes along the stretch were projected to drop by about 45 per cent.
He said the project would enhance agricultural trade and improve livelihoods, as farmers and traders in Bono East and the middle belt would move goods more efficiently to northern markets and export routes.
“A teacher will reach their posting without delay, a farmer will earn fairer prices, and traders will deliver goods on time,” he added.
The President said reputable contractors had been selected to execute the work and cautioned that the government would not tolerate delays or poor-quality delivery.
He urged residents along the corridor, particularly in Bamboi, Banda Nkwanta, Tinga, Bole, and Sawla, to support the project and avoid actions that damage road infrastructure, such as constructing unauthorized speed ramps and overloading heavy-duty vehicles.
President Mahama said the Wenchi–Wa project formed part of a broader agenda to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity across the country.
“Without roads, a nation cannot progress. What we are starting here today is more than a construction project, it is a covenant of hope,” he said.
He appealed to the public for patience during the construction period, assuring that within 24 months, Ghana would have some of the best road networks in West Africa.