Roads Minister Agbodza Promises Fix for 40km Gap Left on Gbentri-Nakpanduri Road

A critical 40-kilometre section of the Gbentri-Nakpanduri Road in Ghana's North East Region has been left without a construction contract, creating a dangerous break in one of the country's important Eastern Corridor road links. Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Governs Agbodza has now pledged that the current administration will move decisively to fix the gap, blaming the omission on decisions taken by the previous government.

How the Gap Was Created

According to Minister Agbodza, who made the remarks during an on-site inspection of ongoing road works, the abandoned stretch is a direct consequence of how supplier-credit contracts were managed under the previous administration. Under those arrangements, some contractors were permitted to scale back the scope of their agreements, meaning certain sections of road projects were quietly dropped from the work plan without adequate replacement arrangements being put in place.

The result is a noticeable and disruptive break along the Eastern Corridor network — a route that serves as a vital transport artery connecting communities in the eastern parts of the country. Motorists, traders, agricultural workers and other road users who depend on this corridor have been left to navigate the unfinished and degraded section, adding to journey times and vehicle wear.

The minister expressed clear frustration at the situation, noting that such gaps significantly undermine the value of the road works that have been completed on either side of the missing stretch. A road that cannot be used continuously from one end to the other, he stressed, fails to deliver the full economic and social benefits that road infrastructure is meant to provide.

Why It Matters for Ghana

The Gbentri-Nakpanduri Road is not an isolated case — it reflects a broader challenge Ghana faces with incomplete road infrastructure, particularly in the northern regions where accessibility remains a persistent development concern. The Eastern Corridor, of which this road forms a part, is intended to open up the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country, connecting remote communities to markets, health facilities and administrative centres.

When sections of such strategic corridors are left unfinished, the economic cost falls disproportionately on communities that already have limited transport options. Farmers struggle to get produce to market, businesses face higher logistics costs, and emergency services find it harder to reach those in need. For the North East Region — one of Ghana's less-developed regions — a complete and functional road link is not merely a convenience but an economic necessity.

Beyond the immediate impact on road users, the situation also raises broader questions about contract oversight and accountability in Ghana's road sector. The use of supplier-credit arrangements — where contractors are paid through agreements backed by commodity or future revenue — has long been a subject of debate, with critics arguing that such deals can lack the transparency and rigorous scope management that conventional procurement processes require.

What Happens Next

Minister Agbodza stopped short of announcing a specific timeline or funding mechanism for addressing the 40km gap, but gave assurances that the government is actively working towards a solution. He indicated that efforts to procure works for the outstanding section would be pursued to ensure commuters can eventually travel the full length of the route without interruption.

• The government is expected to explore available funding windows, potentially through the Ghana Road Fund or development partner financing, to cover the uncontracted stretch.
• The Eastern Corridor road network has been a long-standing priority for successive governments, though progress has frequently been hampered by funding gaps and contract disputes.
• Residents and road user groups in the North East Region will be watching closely to see whether the minister's assurances translate into visible action on the ground.

For communities along the Gbentri-Nakpanduri corridor, the minister's visit and pledge represent a measure of hope — but many will be aware that promises on Ghana's road network have a lengthy history of remaining just that.