President Akufo-Addo has officially launched the District Road Improvement Program (DRIP) at Independence Square on July 31, 2024.

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This initiative, led by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, aims to tackle the pressing issue of deteriorating road conditions across the country’s 275 constituencies, which the National Security Ministry has identified as a major national security concern.

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Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, provided an in-depth overview of the program during a press briefing at the Ministry of Information Press Centre on Monday, July 29.

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Initiated in 2023 in partnership with the District Assembly Common Fund, DRIP was developed in response to reports of road blockages by communities fed up with poor road infrastructure.

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In June 2024, crucial equipment from China arrived to support the program. Each district will receive a full set of machinery, including backhoes, water tankers, rollers, motor graders, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, and bulldozers, totaling 2,420 pieces.

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Minister Adjei-Korsah emphasized that this effort is a major advancement over past initiatives, which only provided graders, by supplying all necessary equipment for effective road maintenance.

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So far, 80 graders and 80 tipper trucks have been delivered, with additional equipment expected soon. Following the program’s launch, regional and district-level ceremonies will take place to ensure comprehensive implementation.

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The project includes a two-year warranty from suppliers, covering mobile setup and servicing, with a stockpile of parts to support maintenance beyond the initial period.

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A dedicated management team, including MPs, District Chief Executives, the Ghana Armed Forces, and officials from urban and feeder roads offices, will oversee the program's operations to ensure its success. The initiative also promotes active citizen participation by using electronic tracking systems and bold markings on equipment to facilitate monitoring.

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Responding to concerns about the program’s timing with elections just five months away, Hon. Adjei-Mensah Korsah clarified that the initiative is motivated by the urgent need to improve road infrastructure, not by electoral considerations.

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The DRIP is a crucial step towards enhancing road conditions nationwide, aiming to make unpaved roads motorable and reduce bureaucratic delays in road maintenance interventions.

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The program’s implementation is expected to have a significant impact on local communities, improve accessibility, and address the national security issues associated with poor road conditions.

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