In a significant stride towards enhancing Ghana’s infrastructure, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo inaugurated the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) and unveiled crucial machinery at Black Star Square today. This event, designed to elevate the nation’s road networks, signifies a momentous achievement in the government’s continuous endeavor to decentralize progress and elevate the standard of living for the people of Ghana.
During his speech, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the pivotal role of road infrastructure in fostering economic advancement and societal progress. “Roads connect communities, facilitate trade, enable access to education and healthcare, and ultimately improve the quality of life for the citizenry,” he stated.
Despite substantial advancements in recent years, the President acknowledged the persisting destruction of numerous district roads, hindering economic activities and impeding development.
The District Roads Improvement Program (DRIP) has been formulated to empower Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with the requisite resources and machinery for the restoration and upkeep of roads within their jurisdictions. This endeavor is in line with the government’s dedication to decentralization, equipping local authorities with the means to bring about significant transformation.
The President unveiled the inauguration of a comprehensive fleet comprising 2,240 pieces of equipment, including motor graders, backhoes, rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, water tankers, and low beds. These apparatus are anticipated to play a pivotal role in the nationwide enhancement of road infrastructure.
A four-member committee at each Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly (MMDA) will supervise the implementation of the programme, guaranteeing elevated standards of quality and transparency.
The committees will comprise technical personnel from the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, as well as the Ministry of Roads and Highways, in addition to a representative from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces. The Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) will preside over these committees.
