Kaleo Highway washed away by rainstorm yet to receive attention - Assembly member

It's been almost a year since a section of the Kaleo Highway in the Kaleo Nadawli-Kaleo District of the Upper West Region was cut off by heavy downpours; thus, the stretch has yet to receive any significant attention.

This is according to Kankpenuba Peter Nuntaa Wisdom, the Assembly member for the Kaleo-East electoral area.

He revealed this in a press release copied to this reporter.

According to him, after visits by the former Regional Minister and other dignitaries following the unfortunate and devastating incident, no substantial work has been undertaken to restore the area for commuters.

He is, therefore, calling on the Ghana Highway Authority, the Regional Coordinating Council, and the municipal and district assemblies concerned to take urgent steps to fix the stretch before the rains set in and worsen the situation.

Speaking to this reporter on Sunday, May 19, 2024, via phone, the Assembly member said that despite his lobbying at the assembly to get the road done, he was told the project was beyond the remit of the Assembly since it is a highway and it would take funding from the central government.

Below is the full release:

Urgent Call to Action: Address the washed-away Kaleo highway before another tragedy strikes:

Dear Government of Ghana, Ghana Highway Authority, the Upper West Regional Minister, and all MMDCEs and DCEs concerned,

It has been almost a year since the devastating rainstorms of 2023 washed away a vital section of the Kaleo Highway around the Kaleo Dam.

Despite the visit of the former Upper West Regional Minister and other dignitaries to the scene shortly after the incident, it is deeply concerning that no substantive work has been initiated to restore this critical infrastructure.

As we enter the 2024 rainy season, the situation remains dire, and the signs are ominous. Immediate action is imperative to prevent a repeat of last year's disaster or worse.

The Kaleo Highway is a lifeline from Ghana to Burkina Faso and the local communities, facilitating the movement of goods, services, and people.

The continued neglect of this vital road not only hampers economic activities but also poses a significant risk to the safety and well-being of residents.

The impending rainy season threatens to exacerbate the existing damage, potentially leading to the complete isolation of affected areas, increased accidents, and further economic hardship.

We urge the Government of Ghana, the Ghana Highway Authority, the Upper West Regional Minister, and all relevant MMDCEs and DCEs to prioritize the following actions immediately:

Emergency Repairs and Reinforcement:

Initiate immediate emergency repairs to restore the damaged sections of the highway. Reinforce the structure to withstand future rainstorms.

Long-term Infrastructure Planning:

Develop and implement a long-term plan to upgrade the highway, including proper drainage systems, to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Community Engagement and Updates:

Keep the affected communities informed about the planned interventions and timelines. Engage local stakeholders in the decision-making process to ensure that the solutions are sustainable and meet the community's needs.

Monitoring and Maintenance:

Establish a robust monitoring and maintenance program for the highway to detect and address potential issues before they escalate.

Resource Allocation:

Ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to this project without further delays.

Prioritize the highway’s restoration in the regional and national budgets.

The time for discussions and promises has long passed. It is now a matter of urgency and accountability to prevent an imminent disaster. The affected communities deserve more than visits and assurances—they need action. Let us not wait for another tragedy to compel us into motion.

We trust that you will heed this wake-up call and take the necessary steps to protect lives, support livelihoods, and secure the future of the Kaleo Highway and its surrounding communities.