Mahama pledges Ho-Aflao Highway sections ready within six months as reconstruction accelerates

President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that significant progress on the Ho-Aflao Highway reconstruction project will translate into usable road sections within the next half-year, with the bulk of the route expected to be operational by early or mid-2027. The President made the statement during a working tour of the Volta Region on Friday, July 17, whilst commissioning the Akatsi North District Police Headquarters in Ave-Dakpa.

The Ho-Aflao Highway, which links Ghana's coastal trade routes to the Aflao border with Togo, has long been a critical infrastructure challenge for the Volta Region. During the 2024 election campaign, Mahama travelled the deteriorating route and made its reconstruction a centrepiece of his development pledges. Now in office, he has made good on that commitment by restructuring the project to accelerate delivery.

Strategy shift drives faster progress

Rather than awarding the entire highway project to a single contractor, Government has divided it into five sections, each assigned to a different firm. This approach has proven effective: one section is already 75 per cent complete, whilst others have reached 30 to 35 per cent completion. The simultaneous work across all sections, combined with improved Government monitoring capabilities, has enabled faster delivery than the original December 2027 completion target would suggest.

Mahama praised contractors, engineers and technical personnel for maintaining quality and pace, urging them to sustain momentum to ensure early completion. The President's confidence appears grounded in tangible progress rather than political optimism—several sections are already ahead of schedule.

Broader road investment programme reshaping Volta Region

Beyond the Ho-Aflao Highway, Government is positioning the Volta Region to benefit from expanded road infrastructure investment. President Mahama announced that Akatsi North District will receive additional support through a proposed US$500 million World Bank-funded Rural Roads Programme, which Government intends to submit to Parliament for approval. The Logakope Junction–Agormor–Kove Road in Akatsi North has been selected for rehabilitation under this initiative.

This dual-track approach reflects a broader strategy: the Big Push programme targets major trunk roads including the Eastern Corridor Road, the Ho-Atimpoku Highway and the Dambai Bridge, whilst the Rural Roads Programme focuses on feeder routes that connect farming communities and unlock local economic potential. Mahama emphasised that Government remains committed to annual budgetary allocations for road development nationwide, suggesting that districts not currently included in current projects may see inclusion in 2028 or beyond.

Why it matters for Ghana

The Ho-Aflao Highway holds strategic importance for Ghana's economy and regional integration. The road serves as a vital transport corridor for agricultural exports, particularly from the Volta Region's farming communities to markets in Accra and beyond. Poor road conditions have historically impeded trade, increased transport costs and limited farmer access to higher-value markets. Improving this corridor directly benefits smallholder agriculture, a cornerstone of rural livelihoods.

Additionally, the highway connects Ghana to Togo and broader West African trade networks under ECOWAS frameworks. Rehabilitation strengthens intra-regional commerce and positions Ghana as a more competitive hub for regional trade. The decision to segment the project among multiple contractors also signals a governance shift towards efficiency and accountability—a model that could be replicated for other large infrastructure programmes.

For the Volta Region specifically, these investments represent a tangible response to decades of infrastructure neglect. Improved road networks are expected to stimulate local economic activity, enhance access to services and reduce transport costs for residents and businesses alike.