Minister of Roads and Highways, Asenso Boakye, has attributed the delay in commencing construction on the first phase of the Tamale-Walewale Road project to the government’s debt restructuring program.
The project, inaugurated by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in June 2022, aimed to dualize the 83km highway and be completed by April of the same year.
The N10 (National Route), part of the Central Corridor Road System, plays a crucial role in trade between Ghana and its neighbouring landlocked countries, as well as connecting Accra to the north of the country.
However, despite its strategic importance, the highway has been neglected and is in poor condition.
During the inauguration, Vice President Bawumia highlighted the project’s goals to enhance intra-urban, regional, and national trade, strengthen regional economic integration, and reduce the cost of doing business.
Two years later, construction has yet to begin. Minister Asenso Boakye, speaking in Walewale after touring the North East Region, explained that the delay was due to suspended disbursements caused by the government’s debt restructuring program.
He assured that construction would resume after negotiations by the Finance Ministry, stating, “Very soon, we are about to finish the negotiation, and contractors will come back to the site to continue with that project.”
During his tour, the Minister inspected several road construction projects in the Mamprugu Moaduri District, including the completed 52km Wiase-Yizesi-Soobiinsi road.
He also visited the Yagaba-Kubori-Mankarigu road, the Yagaba-Prima road, and the Yagaba-So road. In the West Mamprusi Municipality, he inspected the Wulugu-Kpasenkpe road, the Mishio-Prima bridge, and the Walewale township roads project.
The Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress on the Mishio-Prima bridge project, urging contractors to expedite the work.
Contractors, in turn, requested the release of funds to meet the project’s timeline. The Roads Minister concluded his tour by inspecting the Walewale township roads project, expressing confidence in the contractors’ ability to finish the projects ahead of schedule.