Finance Minister Prioritizes Sisaala Roads Amid Mid‑Year Budget Relief Package
During the presentation of Ghana’s 2025 Mid‑Year Budget Review, the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced a bold national plan to construct 5,000 km of roads over the next three years, targeting 166 constituencies identified as critically in need of improved infrastructure.
For the Sisaala areas, long plagued by poor feeder roads and limited transport access, this announcement offers a clear opportunity for local transformation. Under the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP), the area has seen some feeder machinery deployed in previous years, though functionality has not always been consistent.
Dr. Ato Forson also unveiled plans for a new Road Maintenance Trust Fund Bill, set to replace the existing Ghana Road Fund. The new structure aims to bring greater transparency, equitable resource allocation, and improved maintenance across the road network.
“The government has identified 166 constituencies in dire need of road infrastructure. In response, we have programmed to rehabilitate 10 km of roads annually in each of these constituencies,” he stated. “This translates to approximately 5,000 km of roads to be built over the next three years”.
The mid‑year budget also committed to fast-tracking previously stalled or underfunded road projects, including the rehabilitation of Wa–Han highway (N18), upgrading of Tumu-Hamile road, upgrading of Tumu-Han-Lawra road and the reconstruction of Navrongo-Tumu road, all under the special “Big Push” infrastructure programme.
Local leaders in Sisaala East have welcomed the roadmap, calling on the government and key stakeholders to ensure fair allocations and timely implementation that reflect the municipality’s developmental needs. With the rainy season already disrupting transport and food movement, timely intervention could significantly improve market access and social services delivery.
In summary, the budget sets clear targets:
- 10 km of roads rehabilitated annually in each identified constituency
- Total 5,000 km of roads over 3 years
- Launch of a new Road Maintenance Trust Fund for equitable and transparent resource use
For Sisaala East, these commitments bring renewed hope, but local observers will be watching closely to ensure these national promises translate into visible progress on the ground.
By Haruna Kuri Kaayi