EU and Government of Ghana hand over 670km rehabilitated roads to beneficiary communities in Upper West Region

The European Union (EU) in collaboration with the Government of Ghana has commissioned a total of 670km of feeder roads for some communities in the Upper West Region.

The €35M project is aimed at improving access to market centres for farmers, improving transportation as well as easy access to health care facilities, among many other benefits.

In addition to the commissioning of the feeder roads, a newly refurbished solar-powered Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) compound fitted with a borehole, was commissioned by Ambassador Irchad Razaaly and Asenso-Boakye in Daffiama.

In all, 16 CHPS compounds were renovated across the beneficiary communities as part of the project in the region.

The roads connect Wa Municipal-Wa West; Nadowli-Kaleo districts (235 km); Jirapa-Lawra-Daffiama-Bussie districts (210 km) and Nandom-Lambussie districts (225 km).

The commissioning which was attended by representatives from the EU, government representatives as well as MCEs, DCEs, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders and community members, took place at Daffiama on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

Speaking during the commissioning of the project, the EU Ambassador to Ghana said "Today’s ceremony represents a milestone in the EU-Ghana partnership which is aimed at ensuring socio-economic transformation of the country. And today in that matter, to improve access and connectivity in rural areas.

"This project, representing €35M on feeder roads, is very special. It’s an important part of what we call in Brussels, the European Union Global GATEWAY Initiative which is our union global connectivity plan. The roads that we’re commissioning today, provide vital links to the areas of agricultural production and market centres."

He added that "This project will unlock new economic opportunities for communities in the Upper West Region, diminish the transport cost as well as cut by half, the travel time that has been due till now. And you know, the Minister of Finance knows that the EU supports free Global Gateway projects.

"Two of them happened to be implemented here in the Upper West Region. Few weeks ago, I had the chance to participate in the commissioning of the Kaleo Solar Power Plant commissioned by President of the Republic, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo."

The intervention, according to him, is also to enhance the income of the local farmers by increasing the trading of agricultural produce while empowering the government of Ghana with technical assistance.

"It'll also increase the trading of agriculture products and goods and raise, which is of utmost importance, the incomes of the farming communities. I'll like to mention that the intervention will be empowering the government of Ghana with innovative, planning, execution and maintenance of the transport investment," he explained.

According to him, one important component of the project is known as the Market-Oriented Agricultural program which has three pillars with one designed to support small holder farmers and associations, to connect better to the market and to produce higher yields.

Another pillar, he noted, focuses on resilience against climate change and on the best practices of agriculture to increase farmers' yields and productivity with the third one that is currently being implemented in the region, which is in the area of infrastructure, is aimed at supporting agriculture, roads, irrigation and access to finance.

Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister of Roads and Highways, while reiterating government's commitment at enhancing good quality road network across the country, acknowledged the shared commitment that exists between the Government of Ghana and EU of sustainable growth to improving the lives of the rural folk.

"One of the distinctive features of this project is to achieve the participation of the residents through planning, design and the construction faces. As part of this project, ladies and gentlemen, the Ministry of Roads and Highways has also developed a Grievance and Compliance login system to ensure continuous citizen engagement. This system will be deployed nationwide to improve public interaction and feedback on road projects.

"We have made significant progress with 670km, that's about 58% of the roads completed resulting in 55% reduction in total travel time. This achievement is a testament of the dedication and hard work of all stakeholders involved. In collaboration with various basic schools and District Assemblies, we have planted 3000 different species of trees within the project's enclave, emphasizing our commitment to environmental preservation," the minister stated.

According to the Roads and Highways Minister, 9 out of the 16 solar-powered boreholes at selected CHPS compounds had been completed with the remaining ones at various stages of completion while renovation works on 4 out of the 16 CHPS compounds had also been "substantially completed."

He revealed that the roads project comes as a significant shift from traditional construction approaches hence, the contractors of the project were tasked with the responsibility of maintaining them and addressing any defect that may rear its head over time.

He also revealed that all the rehabilitated and upgraded stretches of feeder roads and farm access stretches were solely constructed by Ghanaian contractors demonstrating the government's dedication to promoting and empowering local businesses.

According to him, apart from creating over 3000 skilled and non-skilled jobs from the project in the beneficiary communities, the ministry also exceeded its goal of having about 25% of the workforce comprised of women, to reflect its commitment to gender equality and women empowerment.

He also disclosed the government was engaging with the EU further to consider extending the project for the rehabilitation of about 300km of feeder roads in other areas that are yet to benefit from the Global Gateway projects including Sissala West District, Sissala East Municipality as well as the Wa East District, adding that several similar interventions were also far advanced to ensure other parts of the region are covered to also benefit from the important project.

Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, though describing the project as an achievement in the area of infrastructure, intimated that he rather recognised the gesture by EU as one that further strengthens the partnership between EU and the Government of Ghana.

He commended EU for its continuous support to Ghana's developmental agenda especially, in the areas of general reforms, public financial management, decentralization, sustainable agriculture, education, employment creation and social protection.