Key among them are the 37-kilometre Wa-Bulenga-Yaala Road, the 70-kilometre Wa-Han-Tumu Road, and the 50-kilometre Tumu-Navrongo-Sandema Road.

A significant feature is the dualisation of the Wa UDS–City Centre Road, aimed at easing congestion and beautifying the regional capital.

The projects also include bridge works over the Kanyigbe and Bechelihu rivers, pavement reconstruction and improved drainage systems.

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Deputy Minister, Alhassan Suhuyini, other government officials, chiefs, opinion leaders and regional and constituency party executives attended the ceremony. 

National prosperity

In a keynote address, President Mahama stated that the initiative was a fulfilment of a promise to the people of the north, whose development he described as "central to our national prosperity."

Scope of the 260km priority roads in the Upper West Region

"The Big Push is not a slogan. It is a bold, nationwide programme to modernise Ghana’s infrastructure, expand opportunity and create thousands of decent jobs for our young people," he told a gathering that included traditional authorities, government officials and residents.

President Mahama emphasised that the roads would form the first continuous asphalted corridor linking Wa, Lawra, Navrongo and Hamile, directly connecting Ghana’s north-west to Burkina Faso to position the area as a key trade hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

24-hour Economy backbone

The President directly linked the infrastructure drive to his government's transformative 24-Hour Economy policy.

"This is the backbone of the 24-Hour Economy, where farmers can move their produce at night, industries can run shifts through the evening, and markets can thrive beyond daylight hours," he explained.

He stated that upon completion, travel time between Wa and Tumu would be reduced from over four hours to less than two-and-a-half hours, while transport costs were expected to fall by up to 30 per cent.

The project is also projected to directly benefit over 800,000 people and indirectly impact another 1.5 million through improved access to trade, education and health care.

Jobs, local content

Highlighting the socio-economic benefits, President Mahama announced that the project would create over 2,500 direct jobs for engineers, masons, artisans and technicians, with an additional 7,000 indirect jobs emerging in supporting sectors.

He stressed a strong commitment to local content, assuring that materials, supplies and services would be sourced from within the region as much as possible to stimulate local economies.

The President issued a stern warning to contractors, stating that the "days of poor workmanship and inflated claims are over."

"You must deliver quality. You must deliver on schedule. You must deliver within budget.

The Ghanaian taxpayer must see value in every kilometre of road we construct," he charged.

He also appealed to local communities to support the work, protect construction materials and cooperate with engineers, reminding them that "these roads belong to you."

The "Big Push" project in the north is part of a broader national network designed to link the region to the middle belt and neighbouring countries, strengthening Ghana's position as a gateway for regional trade and logistics.