Motorists and pedestrians who use the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom Road in the Upper East Region are appealing to the government to urgently address the deplorable condition of the road, particularly the approximately 200-metre stretch between the Bolgatanga-Kulaa Bridge and the Timber Market.
The stretch, characterised by dust and a deteriorated road surface, has become a source of frustration and danger for commuters, with road users struggling to see clearly whenever heavy-duty vehicles pass.
Motorists say the poor visibility has increased the risk of accidents, particularly for motorcyclists who share the road with heavy trucks and other vehicles.
Pedestrians, on the other hand, complain that the thick dust reduces their visibility and exposes them to the risk of being knocked down by vehicles as they attempt to navigate the dangerous stretch.
A visit to the road by the Daily Graphic last Wednesday revealed that the situation had been compounded by the absence of the contractor responsible for the ongoing Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom Road project, leaving road users questioning when meaningful construction work would resume.
Though portions of the 116.1-kilometre Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom Road project have been completed, several stretches, including the Kulaa Bridge area in Bolga and the Tilli Bridge over the Red Volta linking Nabdam and Bawku West, remain incomplete.
The Kulaa Bridge is about 30 per cent complete while the Tilli Bridge is about 80 per cent complete.
The road clouded with dust by a heavy duty vehicle
The contract awarded to Brazilian construction company Queiroz Galvão commenced in 2016 but has suffered prolonged delays due to financing challenges.
During an inspection of the road in August 2026, President John Dramani Mahama said financing difficulties following Ghana's economic crisis and debt defaults had stalled the project.
He said the government had terminated the loan arrangement and was financing the work with domestic resources, with assurances of timely payment to the contractor.
In September 2026, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, said 67 per cent of the total project was complete, reaffirming the government's commitment to completing Lot Two by the end of 2027.
He disclosed that the government owed QG Construction Limited about €28 million and was working to settle the outstanding payments to facilitate the contractor's return to site.
However, motorists and pedestrians using the approximately 200-metre stretch between the Bolgatanga-Kulaa Bridge and the Timber Market say they cannot wait until the entire project is completed for relief.
They are calling for urgent temporary measures to reduce the dust and improve safety on the stretch.
The struggle
A motorist, Amadu Abdulai, said the condition of the road had contributed to avoidable accidents and called on the government to intervene before more lives were lost.
“The road here is very bad.
When a trailer passes, and you are on a motorbike, your visibility is severely impaired, leaving you wobbling on the road, and you can imagine the possibilities.
This section of the road is terribly bad and has left many people disabled through accidents that could have been avoided if the road had been fixed,” he said.
He expressed disappointment that heavy equipment was moved to the project site shortly before President John Dramani Mahama visited the region in August 2026, only for work to halt after the President's departure.
“When it was announced that the President was coming to the region, rollers, excavators and tipper trucks were moved to the site, but no serious work was ongoing, except for individuals roaming there every day in their uniforms, creating the impression that construction had resumed,” he stated.
He added: “When the President left, they started moving the equipment out one after the other, and I want to believe the equipment was rented to fool the people.
As we speak, there is not a single piece of equipment on the site. What has changed?”
Another motorist, Philimon Abaabagre, described the road's condition as a growing threat to the lives of those who used it daily.
He expressed surprise that the situation had persisted despite the government's commitment to improve road infrastructure.
“Even if we want to be political about it, this region has 15 Members of Parliament, all for the ruling government, so what is our crime?” he asked.
Mr Abaabagre said accidents occurred frequently on the stretch because motorcyclists struggled to see clearly when larger vehicles passed, leaving them vulnerable to collisions.
“We cannot continue to suffer like this. Please, we are appealing to the government to get the contractor back on site,” he said.
Pedestrians bear the brunt
For pedestrians, the stretch presents a different but equally troubling challenge.
A resident, Oldman Ayinga, who said he used the road daily, described it as dangerous, particularly for people on foot.
“If you are walking here and you are not careful, a motor will run into you.
Although some riders are reckless, the main issue has to do with the road.
Some motorcyclists tend to speed through the area in an attempt to escape the dust and negotiate the dangerous stretch quickly, sometimes ending up causing accidents,” he said.
He said the situation also affected the dignity and comfort of pedestrians, particularly those travelling to attend interviews or other important engagements.
“If you are going for an interview and a car happens to pass by you here, your white clothes will turn red, and you may have to go back,” he said.
Chief calls for temporary repairs
The Chief of Zaare, Naba Paul Nsoh Agoo, also expressed concern about the condition of the road, calling for temporary repairs to ease the difficulties faced by commuters while efforts were made to resume the main construction works.
Speaking during the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly's Accounting to the People series, he said immediate measures were needed to address the situation.
“It is sad that the contractor is not on site. When you pass there, you cannot imagine the dust, which is causing accidents.
I want to propose that the Bolgatanga Municipal and Bolgatanga East assemblies explore ways to undertake temporary repairs to make the stretch more suitable for motorists and pedestrians,” he appealed.
Minister acknowledges concerns
The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, acknowledged the concerns raised by the road users and the chief but explained that the contractual arrangements governing the project made it difficult to engage another contractor to undertake temporary repairs without first reaching an agreement with the existing contractor.
He said the fact that the road was already under contract meant that any intervention by another party would have to be handled carefully to avoid complications with the ongoing contractual arrangements.
Mr Atanga, however, assured residents that the government remained committed to completing the road and promised to convey their concerns to the Minister for Roads and Highways.
