The traditional authority in Tumu has given residents and business operators two weeks to vacate the road corridor leading from Tumu to Léo on the Burkina Faso border. This directive is part of the government's plan to construct a major road, which is included in the "Big Push" infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing trade and transport links between Ghana and Burkina Faso. The initiative seeks to improve the economic prospects of the region.
At a stakeholder engagement, Godfred Baveru Kanton, Secretary to the Landlord of Tumu, emphasized that the road has existed for over 80 years and that its demarcation has been well-known. He urged all encroachers to dismantle illegal structures and clear the marked road reservations. The traditional authority also warned political leaders against intervening on behalf of affected persons to prevent enforcement of the directive.
The traditional authority commended the President for prioritizing the road network in the Sissala enclave and appealed for Mawums, the contractor working on roads in the area, to be retained for the international corridor. The authority cited Mawums' experience in the area, particularly their work on the Tumu-Sissily road project. This move is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region.
Member of Parliament for Sissala East, Issah Mohammed Bataglia, supported the call for the road corridor to be cleared, citing the long-term economic benefits of opening the route to Burkina Faso. He emphasized that the President's vision is bigger than individual difficulties and that the project will enhance economic activity in the area. The MP assured residents that engagement would continue to minimize the social impact of the demolitions.
The road redevelopment plans are also expected to affect public institutions in Tumu, including Kanton Senior High School. The school's Headteacher, Mahamudu Zakaria Savei, described the condition of the school's internal roads as severe, with erosion rendering some routes impassable. He appealed for the commitment to fix the school's internal roads to be honored, citing the school's history since its construction in the 1960s.
The MP for Sissala East highlighted the benefits of the project, including boosting local trade, improving highway security, and creating opportunities for young people through transport-related businesses. He assured residents that the government would continue to engage with them to minimize the social impact of the demolitions. The project is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region.
The clearance of the road corridor is a crucial step towards the construction of the Ghana-Burkina road project. The project is expected to improve trade and transport links between the two countries and enhance economic activity in the region. The traditional authority and the MP have urged residents to cooperate with the authorities to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
Key points
- The Tumu chiefs and the MP for Sissala East support the clearance of the road corridor for the Ghana-Burkina road project.
- The project is part of the government's "Big Push" infrastructure initiative aimed at improving trade and transport links between Ghana and Burkina Faso.
- The clearance of the road corridor is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region, including boosting local trade and creating opportunities for young people.
