Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, has acknowledged that public criticism of Upper East Region MPs over their failure to address poor roads is justified. Residents are demanding tangible development outcomes, particularly improvements to the region's deplorable road network. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) controls all 15 parliamentary seats in the region and is in government, but residents remain frustrated.
The Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom road, nearing completion before the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration left office, has become a major source of concern. Residents complain about its deteriorating condition, potholes, and thick dust. Despite assurances from government officials, including President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, little visible progress has been made.
The situation has reignited questions about the performance of the region's 15 MPs, particularly given the NDC's Agenda 15/15 slogan, promising to win all parliamentary seats and address the region's development needs. Before the 2024 elections, the NDC held 14 of the region's 15 parliamentary seats, while the NPP occupied one. The party argued that its MPs faced difficulties lobbying for development projects because the NDC was then in opposition.
The 2024 elections saw the NDC sweep all 15 seats, with President Mahama securing 75.80% of the valid votes cast in the region. Adongo said residents are no longer satisfied with assurances and behind-the-scenes lobbying but want concrete development interventions. He added that residents expect results because the MPs belong to the governing NDC and their party controls the government.
Adongo disclosed that he had discussed the road with Minister Agbodza in Parliament and was informed that the project had been captured under the government's Big Push programme. The NDC parliamentary caucus, through its leader, has also been engaging the Roads Minister on the project. Adongo said the Minister had assured him of a visit to the region to engage stakeholders and provide further clarity on the arrangements for completing the entire stretch.
At the site, Peter Alnaa, Site Engineer for Rango Construction Limited, explained that the company had been engaged to undertake remedial works on the Timber Market section to address the dust problem. The company will apply a double surface dressing, similar to the treatment used on the original Bolgatanga-Bawku road project. The assignment is limited to the identified section and does not include the bridge works.
Adongo expressed hope that the remedial works would be completed within the stipulated period but stressed that the intervention must be followed by a broader plan to address the remaining sections of the 117.94-kilometre road. The parliamentary caucus will use the expected engagement with the Roads Minister to seek clarity on the involvement of other contractors and the overall arrangements for completing the project.
Key points
- The NDC party campaigned on an Agenda 15/15 slogan, promising to win all parliamentary seats and use its return to power to address the region's development needs.
