Residents and travellers in Northern Ghana, particularly those plying the Bolgatanga–Tumu road, are growing increasingly frustrated over what they describe as government neglect and failed promises under the much-touted “Big Push” infrastructure programme.
Their frustration reached a boiling point recently when parts of the Tumu road became completely impassable after heavy rains. Several communities were cut off, leaving travellers stranded for hours and forcing them to take long, exhausting detours.
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When Apexnewsgh engaged one of the aggrieved drivers, he recounted his ordeal in exasperation: “We drove 10 miles to Tumu and the road was blocked due to the deplorable nature. So, to travel to Nandom, we had to go back to Sandema, then from Sandema to , from Nwelembele to Jirapa, and from Jirapa to Nandom. Can you imagine the stress?”
Many road users in the Upper West and Upper East regions share similar experiences, lamenting that the much-publicised “Big Push” projects seem to be bypassing Northern Ghana.
During the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review to Parliament on Thursday, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced the government’s commitment to 32 major road infrastructure projects under the Big Push Programme.
According to Dr. Forson, the government would not seek additional funding beyond what had already been approved for the year.
“The government remains within the limits set out in the 2025 budget,” he said, “and is focusing on managing expenditure, improving revenue collection, and completing critical infrastructure projects while maintaining macroeconomic stability under the ongoing programme with the International Monetary Fund.”
Among the projects listed were the upgrading of the Tumu–Hamile Road, Tumu–Han–Lawra Road, and reconstruction of the Navrongo–Tumu Road, developments that had initially sparked hope among residents.
However, months after that announcement, there is little evidence of progress on the ground. The once-anticipated Tumu road upgrade has, according to locals, “become a white elephant.”
In September, road users travelling through the Bolga–Tumu stretch were reportedly stopped by local youth after floods rendered the road impassable. The situation caused traffic chaos and further exposed the poor state of infrastructure in the area.
Another traveller from the Upper West Region, Dominic, shared his dismay: “Travelling from Bolgatanga to the region has become a nightmare. Every trip feels like a punishment. A 4-5-hour journey from Bolgatanga to Nandom has taken me 11 hours. We keep hearing about the Big Push, but when will it reach us? He laments
As dust, mud, and broken roads continue to dominate travel across Northern Ghana, one question remains on the lips of many frustrated citizens: “When is the Big Push really coming to Northern Ghana?”
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
