Upper East Chiefs Press Government to Prioritise Tamale–Paga Highway

The Upper East Regional House of Chiefs has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to urgently prioritise rehabilitation works on the Tamale–Walewale–Paga highway, describing its current condition as dangerous and detrimental to economic activity.

During a courtesy call on the President at the Jubilee House, the chiefs expressed concern over the steady deterioration of the highway, which they said poses serious risks to motorists and undermines trade within Ghana and beyond its borders. They acknowledged ongoing government interventions in the region, including progress on the Navrongo–Mayoro road and other infrastructure projects, but stressed that the Tamale–Paga stretch requires immediate attention.

President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, commended the government’s broader development efforts but emphasised that critical road infrastructure in the region must be treated as a priority. He noted that while other projects are advancing, the Tamale–Walewale–Paga highway has not undergone any significant reconstruction since it was completed more than 26 years ago.

According to him, the road has deteriorated to a deplorable state, endangering lives and disrupting the smooth transportation of goods. He pointed out that the highway is a vital economic corridor that facilitates trade between southern Ghana and the northern frontier, extending to neighbouring Sahelian countries.

Originally constructed in 1991 with financial support from the Government of Japan, the Tamale–Paga highway serves as a strategic link to Burkina Faso and plays a key role in cross-border commerce along the eastern corridor. However, decades of limited rehabilitation have left several portions badly damaged, making travel increasingly hazardous.

The chiefs argued that rehabilitating the highway would enhance road safety, reduce travel time, and stimulate economic growth in the Upper East Region. They further indicated that improving the road network would strengthen Ghana’s trade connectivity with neighbouring countries and reinforce its position as a key transit route within the Sahel sub-region.