Roads Are Not “Fancy” — They Are Lifelines

Public policy discourse must be guided by balance, fairness, and an appreciation of the lived realities of all Ghanaians. It is in this spirit that recent comments made by Mr. Kwadwo Poku on JoyNews, suggesting that the NDC government neglected the Agenda 111 hospital initiative in favor of constructing “fancy” Big Push roads, warrant sober reflection.

Let us be clear: Agenda 111 is not a misguided policy. Expanding healthcare infrastructure across the country is a commendable objective. Ghana needs more hospitals, particularly in underserved districts. Access to healthcare remains a critical pillar of national development, and any serious government must prioritize it.

However, to frame road infrastructure development — particularly in historically marginalized regions — as “fancy” is both unfortunate and dismissive.

For communities in the Upper West Region and across the northern sector, roads are not cosmetic projects designed for prestige. They are lifelines. The stretch from Techiman through Bole to Wa, extending to Tumu and Bolgatanga, is not a vanity corridor. It is an economic artery that links farmers to markets, traders to opportunity, students to education, and patients to healthcare.

For decades, the northern part of Ghana has suffered significant infrastructure deficits. Development has often been uneven, leaving communities grappling with poor connectivity and limited access to essential services. Every road constructed in these areas represents more than asphalt and tar — it represents inclusion, dignity, and hope.

The healthcare argument itself underscores this point. Patients are routinely referred from the Upper West Regional Hospital to Tamale, Kumasi, or Accra for specialized treatment. In emergency situations, the condition of our roads can mean the difference between life and death. A hospital’s effectiveness is inextricably linked to the accessibility of the roads that lead to it. Without reliable road networks, even the most modern health facility cannot fully serve its purpose.

National development is not a zero-sum contest between hospitals and highways. Both are indispensable. Healthcare infrastructure without connectivity is limited in impact; roads without social services fail to unlock their full economic potential. The real conversation should not be about choosing one over the other, but about ensuring that investments are strategically balanced to address the unique needs of each region.

Describing critical infrastructure in the north as “fancy” risks trivializing the daily struggles of ordinary Ghanaians — farmers who lose produce due to poor transport networks, mothers who endure long and dangerous journeys seeking medical care, and businesses constrained by logistical bottlenecks.

Equitable development is not a favor extended to certain regions. It is a constitutional and moral obligation. The people of Upper West and the broader northern sector do not seek privilege; they seek parity. They seek a fair share of the national cake.

As a nation, we must elevate our discourse. Development initiatives, whether under Agenda 111 or the Big Push, should be assessed on their merit and impact — not framed in ways that deepen regional sensitivities. Ghana’s progress depends on unity, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to lifting every corner of the country.

Roads are not “fancy.” For many communities, they are survival. And in the broader vision of national transformation, they are as deserving of priority as any hospital project.