An intense clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) erupted in the town of Bommoden, located in the Krachi West district of the Oti Region, on September 2, 2024.
The confrontation was sparked by a dispute over who should lead the deployment of DRIP (District Road Improvement Programme) machines intended to enhance road connections to the Krachi West District Assembly.
The altercation left one person injured, who was subsequently admitted to Dr. Bawuah Clinic in Kete Krachi for treatment.
The DRIP initiative, officially launched by President Nana Akufo-Addo on July 31, 2024, at Independence Square, aims to tackle the pressing issue of deteriorating road conditions across Ghana’s 275 constituencies. The program, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, is a critical step toward making unpaved roads motorable and reducing bureaucratic delays in road maintenance. The National Security Ministry has underscored the deteriorating road conditions as a significant national security concern.
In the wake of the DRIP launch, tensions have risen as political factions vie for control over the deployment of the road improvement machinery. The scuffle in Bommoden is a direct result of these tensions, highlighting the fierce competition between NPP and NDC supporters in the region.
Adding to the controversy, the Minority in Parliament, consisting of NDC Members of Parliament, has submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request to the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF). The request, signed by Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga, seeks comprehensive details about the equipment allocated for DRIP, including the specifications, payment schedule, total payments made so far, and the overall cost of the program.
In the letter, the NDC MPs stated, “Pursuant to section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), I write on the instructions of Honourable Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament, to request for the following information.”
The letter further specified, “The cost at which each unit of the equipment meant for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) launched on Wednesday 31st July, 2024 has been procured.”