A coalition of residents from the Upper West Region has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Ghanaian government, demanding immediate action on the long-standing Wenchi–Bole–Sawla–Wa road project. The residents warned that if their demands are not met within this period, they will organize sustained protests to press for urgent intervention.

In a strongly worded petition addressed to the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Agbodza who was in the region, the coalition’s convener, Mohammed Abdul-Basit, expressed deep frustration over the stalled project. The group emphasized that delays on what they describe as a vital economic corridor are unacceptable and have called for the immediate commencement of reconstruction works.

“The Wenchi–Bole–Sawla–Wa road is a crucial link connecting Bono East, Savannah, and Upper West regions, as well as serving as a key route to Burkina Faso and Mali,” the petition stated. “The current state of the road has deteriorated significantly, hampering transportation, damaging vehicles, and posing serious safety risks.”

Residents described the road as having become an “endurance trial,” citing deep potholes, heavy dust, and poor surface conditions that hinder economic activities in the region. They criticized contractors working on the project, accusing them of neglect and abandoning their responsibilities despite being awarded contracts under the government’s flagship “Big Push” infrastructure initiative.

Maripoma Enterprise Limited, the primary contractor engaged for the project, was singled out for criticism. The coalition alleged that the company has completed less than one percent of its assigned work over a year after contract award, describing this as a “deliberate show of disrespect” to the communities affected.

“The contractor is overstretched with multiple projects, which is affecting progress on the Wenchi–Bole–Sawla–Wa road. This project is the region’s economic lifeblood,” the petition added.

The residents warned that if the government fails to act within the specified two-week window, they will organize “disruptive, sustained, and impossible to ignore” demonstrations to force action.

The concerns come amid growing public scrutiny of the government’s infrastructure projects, with many communities questioning delays and the pace of progress.

Responding to the residents’ demands, Mr. Agbodza acknowledged the skepticism surrounding the project but assured that efforts are underway to address the challenges.

The Wenchi–Bole–Sawla–Wa road remains a strategic route for trade and movement across northern Ghana and beyond, making its timely completion vital for regional economic development.