The Upper East Regional House of Chiefs has urged President John Dramani Mahama to fast-track rehabilitation works on the Tamale–Walewale–Paga highway, citing its deteriorating condition and the growing risks it poses to lives, transportation, and cross-border trade.
The chiefs said, although they welcomed progress on projects such as the Navrongo–Mayoro road and other ongoing interventions, the Tamale–Walewale–Paga highway — a key economic corridor — has not undergone any major reconstruction in more than two decades.
They noted that the poor state of the road continues to endanger motorists and disrupt the movement of goods, negatively affecting trade within Ghana and across the Sahel and neighbouring countries along the eastern corridor.
“While we celebrate the national gains, we look forward to a major push that will transform the road infrastructure landscape in our region.
“Although we commend progress on some roads, the Tamale–Walewale–Paga highway, since its completion over 26 years ago, has not seen any major rehabilitation. It is currently in a deplorable state, endangering lives and hampering the smooth flow of goods within Ghana and across the Sahel corridor for trade with our neighbouring countries,” he said.
Originally constructed in 1991 with support from the Government of Japan, the Tamale–Paga highway serves as a critical link between southern Ghana and the northern border with Burkina Faso. However, more than three decades later, large sections of the road have seen little to no major rehabilitation, leaving portions increasingly unsafe for motorists.
The chiefs said rehabilitating the highway would significantly improve road safety, stimulate economic activity, and strengthen Ghana’s trade links with countries across the Sahel region.
Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews
