By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa Constituency in the Upper West Region, Dr. Sebastian N. Sandaare, has made a passionate appeal to President John Dramani Mahama, through the Minister responsible for Roads and Highways, to urgently rehabilitate and reconstruct the Wa-Bole-Techiman Road.
According to him, the Wa-Bole-Techiman Road, which forms part of the N12 trans-ECOWAS highway linking the Upper West and Savannah Regions to the southern part of Ghana and neighboring Burkina Faso, is in a deplorable state.
Dr. Sandaare explained that due to the deteriorating condition of the road, the social and economic benefits of a good road network are lost to the people.
The Daffiama-Bussie-Issa lawmaker made this appeal on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Parliament, highlighting the dire state of the road and its impact on commuters, particularly the residents of the Upper West and Savannah Regions.
“Mr. Speaker, the importance of a good road network to the economic growth of these regions and the country at large cannot be overemphasized. Particularly for regions without alternative means of transportation, road infrastructure is critical to their economies—facilitating access to markets, boosting tourism, creating job and educational opportunities, and providing access to healthcare and other essential services.
Ultimately, a good road network stimulates economic growth and social progress in these regions and across the country. One such crucial road is the Wa-Bole-Techiman Road. Sadly, its current condition is beyond deplorable, rendering it almost unusable and negating the economic and social benefits it should provide.”
Dr. Sandaare further described the severe challenges posed by the road’s poor state, noting that it is riddled with large potholes, weak culverts, and excessive dust due to the erosion of the asphalt surface.
He emphasized that the safety and security of commuters are at great risk, as frequent armed robbery attacks along the road have led to fatalities.
“Mr. Speaker, one of the most distressing consequences of this poor road network is the increasing spate of accidents. Common occurrences include tyre bursts and vehicle collisions as drivers attempt to dodge potholes.
The cumulative effect is that this road is both unsafe and unbearably long to travel. A journey that should take less than 12 hours—from Accra to Wa—now takes an average of 18 hours or more.
Worse still, transport operators, including the State Transport Company (STC), are gradually abandoning the route, leaving many communities stranded.”
Dr. Sandaare lamented that, despite years of appeals from traditional authorities, commuters, drivers, and MPs from both political sides, successive governments have neglected the road for nearly a decade.
He acknowledged that although the previous government announced that a section of the road had been awarded to a contractor before exiting office, work has yet to commence.
Additionally, he highlighted the negative health implications of the poor road network.
“Mr. Speaker, the prolonged sitting hours on the road pose serious health risks to passengers. Communities along the stretch are also experiencing a rise in respiratory diseases due to daily dust inhalation.
Patient transportation is equally affected, as reports indicate worsening medical conditions among patients referred to the Upper West Regional Hospital due to the delays caused by the bad road.”
Dr. Sandaare warned that if urgent steps are not taken, the continued deterioration of the Wa-Bole-Techiman Road will further hinder economic and social development.
“Mr. Speaker, if this road is not fixed immediately, it will slow down economic activities, increase transportation costs, inflate the prices of goods and services, and deter investments and tourism. The longer we delay, the more these challenges will escalate.”
He, therefore, urged the government to take swift action to reconstruct the Wa-Bole-Techiman Road to enhance socio-economic development and improve the quality of life for people in the Upper West and Savannah Regions.
