The Minister of Roads and Highways, Asenso Boakye, has blamed government's debt restructuring program for the delay in commencing construction on the first phase of the Tamale-Walewale Road project.

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia inaugurated the project in June 2022, with the 83km highway intended to be dualized and completed by April of the same year.

The N10 (National Route), part of the Central Corridor Road System, is vital for trade between Ghana and its neighbouring landlocked countries. It also connects Accra to the north of the country.

Despite its strategic importance, the highway has been neglected and is in poor condition.

During the inauguration, the Vice President highlighted the project's goals to enhance intra-urban, regional, and national trade, strengthen regional economic integration, and reduce the cost of doing business.

However, two years later, construction has yet to begin.

Speaking in Walewale after touring the North East Region, Minister Asenso Boakye attributed the delay to suspended disbursements due to the government's debt restructuring program.

The Minister assured that construction would resume after negotiations by the Finance Ministry. "Very soon, we are about to finish the negotiation, and contractors will come back to the site to continue with that project," he said.

Tour Highlights

The Minister began his tour in the Mamprugu Moaduri District, inspecting several road construction projects.

He inspected the 52km Wiase-Yizesi-Soobiinsi road, which has been completed and handed over to the government.

Accompanied by MP Mustapha Usif, District Chief Executive Abu Adams, and officials from various road development departments, the Minister met with the chiefs and people of the Yizesi community.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to completing ongoing road projects.

He appealed to residents to support Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Mr Mustapha Usif in the upcoming elections.

The community chief expressed gratitude for the ongoing road development but urged the Minister to ensure the completion of a drainage system to prevent flooding.

The Minister also inspected the 29.4km Yagaba-Kubori-Mankarigu road, the 24km Yagaba-Prima road, and the 23km Yagaba-So road.

In the West Mamprusi Municipality, he inspected the Wulugu-Kpasenkpe road, the Mishio-Prima bridge, and the Walewale township roads project.

At Mishio, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress on the Mishio-Prima bridge project.

The 210m bridge over the White Volta River, meant to connect the Mamprugu Moaduri district, North Gonja, and Kumbungu districts, was started in 2021 and originally scheduled for completion in early 2023. As of June 12, 2024, the project was only 20% complete.

The Minister urged contractors to expedite the work, while contractors requested the release of funds to meet the project's timeline.

The Roads Minister concluded his tour by inspecting the Walewale township roads project. "In Walewale, the government is constructing many projects involving feeder and urban roads," he announced.

"I must say that I'm impressed with the work so far and I'm quite confident that the contractors will finish the projects even ahead of schedule given the information I have been given."