The Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has assured that the deteriorated sections of the Wa-Bole-Bamboi road will be rehabilitated soon to facilitate further development.

He stated that the contractor is scheduled to commence work on the road by next week, as it is a priority for the government.

This announcement was made during a courtesy visit to the president of the Waala Traditional Council, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, as part of a working visit to the Upper West Region.

Addressing a gathering at the Wa Naa Palace, Asenso-Boakye emphasised that improving the country’s road network is essential for socio-economic development.

The Bantama MP outlined a two-step strategy to address the issues with the Wa-Bole-Bamboi Road, declaring that the first step would involve fixing the damaged sections of the road, followed by asphalting it to upgrade it to a first-class road.

The spokesperson for Wa Naa, Naa Ibrahim Kadir highlighted the dire condition of the Wa-Bole-Bamboi Road, describing it as a “nightmare” for travelers and a significant hindrance to the region’s economic activities.

The spokesperson pointed out that the travel time from Wa to Kumasi has drastically increased from 6 hours to a gruelling 15 hours due to the deplorable state of the road. This deterioration has extended travel times and led to frequent vehicle breakdowns, escalating maintenance costs for transport operators.

Consequently, these increased costs have been transferred to passengers through higher lorry fares, burdening the local population further.

The spokesperson emphasised the severe impact on farmers who are experiencing substantial losses as a result of the road’s condition.

The difficulty in transporting goods to market centres on time has affected the quality and quantity of produce available for sale, reducing incomes for the agricultural community.

He also highlighted the need for urgent repairs on other critical routes, including the Wa-Sin-Loggu Road and Wa-Magazine-Guli Road, which are similarly in poor condition and essential for the region’s connectivity and economic activities.

In light of these pressing issues, the Wa Naa spokesperson called on the Roads Minister to take immediate and decisive action to rehabilitate the Wa-Bole-Bamboi Road.

Source: Asaase Radio