Overlord of Dagbon honours Dr Awolu
– For outstanding contributions to Ghana’s road infrastructure
THE Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari II, has honoured Dr. Abass Mohammed Awolu, Chief Director of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, for his outstanding contributions to Ghana’s road and transportation infrastructure development.
“You have dedicated your life to ensuring that citizens of Ghana, and indeed the good people of Dagbon, have good and safe road networks,” the Overlord stated.
In a citation presented to Dr Awolu, the Overlord of Dagbon praised his unwavering dedication to improving the road network across the nation, particularly, in Dagbon and Northern Ghana.
This recognition took place over the weekend in Yendi, in the Northern Region, at a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a new Gbewaa Palace.
The New Gbewaa Palace
The construction of a new Gbewaa Palace marks a significant milestone in the history of Dagbon and reflects the unity and resilience of its people.
At an estimated cost of GHc60 million, the new Gbewaa Palace complex comprises a main palace where the King and his immediate family will reside, a Zee; the residence of the King’s relatives, a Katinn-in, a Gbauzaglin, a Sampa Pavillion, a mosque, a museum and a durbar ground, among others.
The construction of the main palace complex is expected to start immediately with an amount of GHc15 million raised so far out of the estimated cost.
A Career of Excellence and Service
In his citation, the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari II, described Dr Awolu as a proud son of Dagbon and an accomplished engineer with over thirty years of experience in the highway and transportation sectors in Ghana, spanning transportation planning, highway engineering and planning, traffic management, and road safety.
The Overlord of Dagbon said that as the Director of the Department of Urban Roads from 2013 to 2021, and now as Chief Director of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Dr. Awolu has overseen several landmark projects.
Notable among these are the Tamale Interchange — the first in Northern Ghana — and the historic four-tier Pokuase Interchange in Accra, the first of its kind in West Africa which received the prestigious FIDIC Award in London in 2022 for its innovative design and cost efficiency.
Transforming Dagbon’s Roads
In Dagbon, he said, Dr Awolu’s efforts have led to the rehabilitation and upgrading of numerous roads, significantly improving connectivity and economic opportunities.
Some of the road projects include town roads in Yendi, Walewale, Salaga, and Gushegu, as well as major highways such as the Tamale-Yendi Road and the Gushegu-Karaga Road.
Dr Awolu also supervised paving works at the Yaa Naa’s Palace in Savelugu, underscoring his commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
“You provided leadership for many government road projects within Dagbon. Indeed, Ghana and the good people of Dagbon have benefitted immensely from your selflessness, hard work, and dedication,” Yaa Naa stressed.
Nationwide Impact
Dr. Awolu’s contributions to Ghana’s road infrastructure extend far beyond Northern Ghana, leaving a lasting imprint on every corner of the country.
His oversight in Accra has delivered some of the capital’s most iconic projects, including the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, a pivotal hub in the city’s transportation network, the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange Phases One which as enhanced traffic flow and reduced congestion in the heart of Accra.
Dr. Awolu has also been instrumental in public transport reforms in Accra, helping to establish the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executives (GAPTE) and the city’s first dedicated bus route along the Amasaman-Accra corridor.
A Legacy of Leadership
Dr Awolu’s technical insight and commitment to value-for-money principles have set a benchmark in Ghana’s road sector.
Under his guidance, the budget initially planned for a three-tier interchange at Pokuase was optimized to deliver a four-tier structure, showcasing his efficiency in resource management.
His work extends to policy development, having chaired the National Engineering Committee that authored Ghana’s first manual for right-of-way management. He has also contributed to landmark developments such as the Accra Mall, Airport City, and the Ambassadorial Enclave.
