John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has sharply criticized the government’s District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), labeling it as poorly conceived. The DRIP was designed to empower Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with the necessary resources and equipment to rehabilitate and maintain roads within their jurisdictions.
This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to decentralization by equipping local authorities with tools to drive significant change.
However, during his campaign tour at the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Mahama argued that the initiative was rushed and executed more for political gain than for effective infrastructure development. He pointed to a video showing the transportation of equipment to various localities, criticizing the government for inadequate planning. “The DRIP initiative was not well thought through and this is evident in a video I saw on how the equipment was transported to the various localities,” Mahama said.
He further criticized the logistics of the programme, noting that the government failed to employ payloaders for proper transportation of the equipment. Additionally, Mahama highlighted a critical issue: some of the machines remain unused due to a lack of skilled operators. “Apart from that, some of the machines have been left unused because there are no skilled workers to operate them,” he added.
The District Road Improvement Programme was officially launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on July 31 at Black Star Square. The launch event marked a significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance road infrastructure and promote decentralization. President Akufo-Addo emphasized the vital role of road networks in economic growth and social development. “Roads connect communities, facilitate trade, enable access to education and healthcare, and ultimately improve the quality of life for the citizenry,” he stated.
Despite the government’s claims of progress, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that many district roads remain in poor condition, affecting economic activities and overall development. The DRIP aims to address these issues by providing a comprehensive fleet of 2,240 pieces of equipment, including motor graders, backhoes, rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, water tankers, and low beds. These machines are intended to play a crucial role in improving road infrastructure across the country.
The launch event was seen as a pivotal milestone in the government’s effort to decentralize development and enhance the quality of life for Ghanaians. However, Mahama’s criticism raises questions about the effectiveness of the programme’s implementation. The DRIP’s success relies not only on the provision of equipment but also on the strategic deployment and maintenance of these resources, as well as ensuring that local authorities have the necessary training and support.
Mahama’s remarks highlight the need for careful planning and execution in large-scale infrastructure projects. The critique points to potential gaps in the DRIP that could hinder its effectiveness and calls for a more thoughtful approach to addressing the country’s road infrastructure needs. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government will address these concerns and ensure that the DRIP delivers on its promises to improve Ghana’s road networks and support local development.
