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By: Atungo Iddrisu Kassim
The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Atanga Akamugri , has urged the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza to urgently address the slow of Bolgatanga–Bawku–Pulmakom and Bolgatanga Tamale highway road project, saying its poor condition and undermining cross-border trade and regional development.
The Minister made the call on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, when he joined the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, and his Deputy, Alhassan Suhuyini, on a site inspection of the Navrongo–Chuchuliga–Sandema road project.
While welcoming the inspection as part of the government’s Big Push infrastructure agenda, the Regional Minister appealed to the Roads Minister, for the completion of Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road and Bolgatanga-Tamale Highway road which are critical roads in the region and still remain incomplete, despite being vital to economic activity and security to the region.
In response to the Regional Minister, on the Tamale–Bolgatanga road project. The Roads Minister revealed that the previous administration approved $158.6 million for the contract and paid almost $30 million in mobilization to Indian contractor JMC. However, the company failed to execute even one percent of the work.
According to the road Minister, the project should have been completed last year if everything had gone according to plan.
He announced that the Ministry will work with the Attorney General next week to legally pursue the recovery of the $30 million. He explained that previous recovery attempted by the former government were blocked after the contractor secured an injunction in India, where the contract jurisdiction is domiciled.
For his part, the President has directed the Ghana Highways Authority to develop a Plan B for constructing the Tamale–Bolgatanga road, which the Minister described as the “real central corridor” for the eastern part of the country.
“Highways is working on it. I’m sure it won’t be too long before the President announces the exact plan,” he said.
The Minister, stressed that President Mahama does not want to be associated with projects that fail within six months of completion. He urged the Highways Authority staff to maintain strict quality control and supervision, adding that leadership at both regional and ministerial levels would be held accountable for the work done under their tenure.
The Minister reiterated that the Upper East Region remains a priority under the President’s development agenda and pledged continued support to ensure the Navrongo–Chuchuliga–Sandema contractor delivers on time.