Minister nominee for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has vowed to ensure the full implementation of the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP) introduced by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

During his vetting by the Appointments Committee on Monday, 21st January, he pointed out several obstacles hindering the programme’s success.

He explained that the local government ministry had not been involved in the procurement process, resulting in issues such as the lack of management contracts for the machines and the unavailability of spare parts. These gaps, he noted, have delayed the programme's progress.

Despite these setbacks, he expressed confidence that, with proper planning and coordination, the DRIP programme will ultimately materialise.

“If we are given the nod, together with my team, we will make sure the DRIP programme materialises,” he stated.

President Akufo-Addo on July 31, 2024, launched the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) and commissioned essential equipment at the Black Star Square in Accra.

In his address, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the critical role of road infrastructure in economic growth and social development. “Roads connect communities, facilitate trade, enable access to education and healthcare, and ultimately improve the quality of life for the citizenry,” he stated.

The DRIP is designed to empower Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with the necessary resources and equipment to rehabilitate and maintain roads within their areas.
This initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to decentralization, providing local authorities with the tools to effect meaningful change.

The President announced the commissioning of a comprehensive fleet of 2,240 pieces of equipment, including motor graders, backhoes, rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, water tankers, and low beds. These machines are expected to play a crucial role in the nationwide improvement of road infrastructure.

A four-member committee at each MMDA was to oversee the implementation of the programme, ensuring high standards of quality and accountability. The committees were to include technical officers from the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Roads and Highways, along with a representative from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces. The Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) were to chair these committees.