President Mahama Cuts Sod for Long-Neglected Wa-Han-Tumu-Navrongo Road

President John Mahama has officiated the sod-cutting ceremony for the Wa-Han-Tumu-Navrongo Road in Guli in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region, a vital corridor connecting the Upper West and Upper East regions, signaling an end to decades of neglect. The project, part of the Big Push program, aims to transform Ghana’s road network, boost agriculture, trade, and create thousands of jobs.
In addressing a long-standing infrastructure disparities in northern Ghana, President John Mahama on Tuesday kicked off the rehabilitation of over 260 kilometers of roads linking Wa, Han, Tumu, Navrongo, and Hamile. This road network, crucial for connecting the Upper West to the Upper East Region, including the maize-producing hub of Tumu, has been neglected for decades, hampering commerce, travel, and economic growth.
Addressing dignitaries and residents, President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equitable development, declaring, “For decades our brothers and sisters in the northern part of Ghana have endured the pain of neglect marked by broken promises, delayed projects, and missed opportunities. But today that narrative is going to change.” He noted that the Big Push infrastructure program is about “delivery, progress, and restoring fairness” and projects a transformative impact on northern road connectivity uncommon in Ghana’s history.
The project will cut travel time between Wa and Tumu from over four hours to less than two and a half hours, reduce transport costs by up to 30 percent, and directly create over 2,500 jobs with 7,000 more indirect employment opportunities, prioritizing local labor and materials. “When the NDC builds, we build with the people, for the people, and by the people,” the President said, underscoring quality, timely delivery, and accountability.
Minister of Roads and Highways,Kwame Governs Agbodza , who also spoke at the ceremony, pledged strict oversight of construction quality and timely execution. He highlighted efforts to ensure only certified bitumen is used to prevent road deterioration and pledged to enforce strong regulations against highway overloading that damages roads. “To our contractors, Ghana has changed. Deliver quality, deliver on time and deliver within budget. There will be no room for shoddy work or inflated claims.”
The minister further promised that contractors will be required to recruit local youth and skilled graduates from the Upper West and Upper East regions, supporting community empowerment and skills development.
Together, these road upgrades form part of a broader effort to establish a durable, all-season transport corridor that not only improves local livelihoods but positions northern Ghana as a strategic hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area.