Residents of Danku in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region have called on the government and benevolent organisations to urgently rehabilitate their deteriorating road, which they say has been abandoned by successive administrations.

Years of neglect have left the Wa-Danku road riddled with deep potholes and severe erosion, posing dangers to commuters and crippling economic activities.

Residents, including nurses and teachers, told Channel One News that the deplorable condition of the road has had a ripple effect on key sectors such as education, healthcare, and commerce.

Located just about 7 kilometres from the Upper West regional capital, Danku is a growing suburb of Wa, predominantly occupied by farmers and migrants from nearby communities. However, the poor state of the Wa-Danku road continues to undermine the town’s development.

Ghana’s road network is estimated at 72,000 kilometres, with only about 23% paved. Many of the unpaved roads, especially in the Upper West Region, remain in poor condition, plagued by erosion, deep cracks, and potholes.

The Wa-Danku road, first awarded on contract in 2008 and again in 2016, has yet to see any meaningful improvement, largely due to changes in government and stalled commitments.

In an interview with Channel One News, Assembly Member for Danku, Hon. Adams Yahaya Jiga, revealed that the poor state of the road has made the area a hotspot for armed robbery, with commuters frequently attacked and motorbikes snatched.

“Armed robbers have taken advantage of the untarred road, and they are snatching motorbikes from our people.

Sections of the road have been completely eroded, making travel life-threatening. Drivers in the area say the road is no longer fit for use and are pleading with the government to intervene.

Teachers and nurses stationed in Danku also expressed frustration, stating that the road condition negatively affects attendance, punctuality, and the delivery of both healthcare and education services.

“This road is actually a problem for us. Mostly if you refer a case, some end up delivering on the way,” a midwife based in the area told Channel One News.

Meanwhile, Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Alhaji Nura Issah Danwanaa, says the road has been captured in the 2025 national budget, and efforts are underway to begin construction.

“Currently, we have plans in place to construct the road. We have packaged it and submitted it to the Ministry of Roads, and it has been included in this year’s budget. We are only hoping the Finance Ministry will release funds for the construction of the road,” he stated.

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