Omanghana
Construction work has resumed on the long-delayed Sawla-Wa highway, bringing renewed hope to residents and businesses across Ghana’s Upper West and Savannah regions after months of growing frustration over the deteriorating condition of the road.
The 232-kilometer stretch of the N12 highway, a critical transportation corridor linking several regions in northern and central Ghana, had become increasingly hazardous due to severe potholes, eroded road surfaces, and poor drainage. The worsening condition of the highway sparked widespread public criticism and prompted threats of mass protests from local residents and youth groups.
Community leaders had expressed concerns over the pace of work by the project’s contractor, Maripoma Enterprise Limited. The company was awarded the contract in late 2024 with a projected completion period of 36 months. However, local advocacy groups alleged that less than one percent of the project had been completed during the first 18 months, fueling public dissatisfaction and demands for immediate action.
The deteriorating road conditions significantly affected travel and economic activity in the region. Journeys that previously took approximately one hour between Sawla and Wa reportedly stretched to more than three hours as motorists navigated damaged sections of the highway.
Frustration among residents reached a peak when a coalition of youth groups issued a two-week ultimatum to the government, threatening demonstrations and a possible shutdown of Wa Airport if construction equipment did not return to the project site.
Following intervention by Ghana’s Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, contractors have mobilized resources and resumed work on key sections of the highway.
Project officials report that approximately 80 percent of land clearing activities along the most severely affected portions of the route have already been completed. Construction teams are also installing heavy-duty concrete drainage systems designed to protect the road from seasonal flooding and prevent future damage to newly constructed sections.
The Ghana Highway Authority has indicated that crews are simultaneously undertaking stabilization works on the existing roadway to improve safety and accessibility for motorists while long-term reconstruction and paving activities continue.
The Sawla-Wa highway serves as a vital economic corridor connecting the Upper West, Savannah, Bono, and Ashanti regions. The road plays a crucial role in facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, livestock, and other goods from northern farming communities to major commercial markets in southern Ghana.
Local leaders and residents have welcomed the return of construction activities, emphasizing that the rehabilitation of the highway is essential not only for transportation but also for economic development, trade, and the livelihoods of thousands of households that depend on the route.
With work now back underway, stakeholders hope the renewed momentum will lead to the successful completion of a project widely regarded as one of the most important road infrastructure developments in northern Ghana.
Source: Omanghana
