The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has announced a major policy shift to rebalance Ghana’s road infrastructure investment, with a new focus on underserved northern regions such as the Savannah Region.
Speaking at the 49th Annual Congress of the National Gonjaland Youth Association in Sawla, Mr. Agbodza said President John Dramani Mahama is determined to end the longstanding inequality in road development, where the bulk of national spending has historically gone to the southern corridor.
“One of the things I consider as imbalance in infrastructure is this — it appears 70% of our expenditure on roads is spent in the South, especially between Greater Accra and Ashanti Region alone consume almost 70% of our road infrastructure,” the minister stated, adding “That is not equity in development. We shall actually rewrite that. We’ll reallocate resources to touch people in this part of the country.”
Mr. Agbodza said the new direction reflects President Mahama’s commitment to inclusive development and promised that the Savannah Region will benefit significantly from upcoming road projects.
He also warned contractors expected to undertake these projects to uphold the highest standards or risk losing their contracts. “The government will not compromise on quality. Deliver the work or forfeit the contract,” he said, while commending contractors currently on site despite delays in payment.
The congress, themed “Harnessing Natural Resources for Development in Gonjaland: The Role of the Youth,” focused on addressing key development concerns in the area, including land disputes, security challenges, and infrastructure deficits.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, who also addressed the event, pledged that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission will provide a pick-up vehicle to the Savannah College of Education within 30 days. He reaffirmed President Mahama’s plan to establish a public university in every region, including Savannah.
Savannah Regional Minister Salifu Be-Awuribe welcomed ongoing efforts to review the 1930 Constitution of the Gonja Kingdom, describing it as a crucial step toward aligning traditional leadership with modern governance frameworks.
