Beyond the $500m: Ghana must maintain what it builds

The World Bank's approval of $500 million to upgrade Ghana's road infrastructure has been welcomed, as poor roads continue to burden the economy and citizens. The Ghana Market Access and Connectivity Project will fund the rehabilitation of around 1,050 kilometres of feeder roads through performance-based maintenance contracts. This will enhance connectivity, increase agricultural productivity, lower transport costs, and boost rural livelihoods.

However, the project should be viewed as the first step in a larger transformation of the transport sector, not a complete resolution to Ghana's transportation issues. As Dr. Robert Taliercio, the World Bank's Division Head for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, pointed out, only 27% of Ghana's roads are paved, and more than half are in poor or fair condition, with significant impact on the economy.

Breaking the destructive cycle of constructing roads and neglecting their maintenance is crucial. The proposed Road Maintenance Trust Fund could be a vital step towards ensuring roads are properly maintained before they become costly to repair. While the government has initiated infrastructure programs such as the Accra-Kumasi Expressway and bridge projects, these should align with a comprehensive national transport strategy that includes revitalizing the freight-led rail network and focusing on road safety and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The government's recent economic indicators, including a six percent growth in 2025 and 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2026, are promising, but poverty remains high at 56.4 percent, and capital expenditure is 38 percent below budget. For sustainable progress, Ghana must ensure that every dollar spent on transport delivers maximum value, with emphasis on quality maintenance, supervision, and transparent expenditure monitoring.