The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region is calling on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately outline a timeline for the completion of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom road.
The road has become a major concern for residents of the region.
According to the NPP, the road was 95% complete when it left power in January 2025. The remaining 5% is all that was left when the NDC took over. Yet the condition of the road has since worsened, with accidents occurring daily.
The Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road Project involves the improvement of 109km of road in the Upper East Region. It directly benefits more than 750,000 people.
The rehabilitation is designed to improve road safety and reduce travel time. It is also meant to facilitate trade and the movement of goods, and to stimulate economic development in the region, which is a crossroads of traditional trans-Saharan trade routes.
The project stretches from Bolgatanga town through Bawku to Pulmakom, close to the borders of Togo and Burkina Faso. It crosses several communities along the way.
However, since work stalled in early 2025, the road has become worse than before. Heavy dust from the stretch now pollutes the environment.
Many residents of Bolgatanga Municipality and Bolgatanga East have lost their lives. Others have sustained varying degrees of injuries due to the poor state of the road.
Two months ago, President John Dramani Mahama visited the site during his Accounting to the People tour in the region. He assured residents that work on the project would continue. But shortly after his departure, the few workers who were on site at the time abandoned the project. Work has not resumed since.
Speaking at a press conference at the Kulaa bridge on the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom road, the Upper East Regional Communications Director of the NPP, Dr Samuel Akonga, outlined the progress made before the NPP left power in 2024.
He said the project had reached 95% completion.
“Indeed, the 2026 Budget Statement, on page 74, reports that the rehabilitation of the Bolgatanga–Bawku–Pulmakom road is 95% complete. This is a significant admission by the current government. It means the outstanding work constitutes approximately 5% of the project, according to the government’s own figure,” he said.
“Our position is straightforward: Taking a project recorded at 0% physical progress in 2016, as captured on page 101 of the 2018 Budget, to 95% completion is a record that deserves recognition. Even so, we acknowledge that the work remains unfinished.”
Dr Akonga said the current state of the road is adversely affecting the health of residents. He added that many accidents occur on that stretch.
“The dusty nature of the Kulaa stretch is particularly disturbing. Every passing vehicle raises clouds of dust. The dust engulfs commuters, roadside residents and businesses. Beyond the dust, the poor condition of the road exposes motorists and passengers to danger. Only God knows how many cherished lives have been lost and how many vibrant young people have suffered injuries due to the conditions on this road.
“This situation cannot continue to be treated as an ordinary inconvenience. It is a matter of public safety, economic activity and the dignity of the people who depend on this road,” he added.
Dr Akonga therefore called on the government to urgently outline a timeline for completion.
“We call on President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister for Roads and Highways, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ghana Highway Authority to provide the necessary answers. They must demonstrate a firm commitment to completing the outstanding works,” he said.
The NPP also called on all Regional Ministers, the Upper East Caucus in Parliament, the 15 MMDCEs, traditional leaders, religious bodies, the media and all well-meaning persons in the region to add their voices and demand answers from government.
The party said it remains committed to advocating for the development, safety and welfare of the people. It will continue to demand accountability through legitimate democratic means.
Meanwhile, many residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the road. They are also calling for work to resume immediately to save lives.
By Tanko Mohammed Rabiu
