The Member of Parliament for the Bolgatanga East Constituency and Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has pledged swift action to address the deteriorating Kulaa section of the Bolgatanga–Bawku road following public outcry and recent youth-led protests over worsening conditions.
Speaking in an interview with A1 Radio, Dr. Ayine acknowledged the severity of the situation after personally traveling along the stretch, describing scenes that underscored the urgency for intervention.
“The dust levels are just intolerable,” he said. “If you are asthmatic and exposed even for a few seconds, you could collapse.”
The Bolgatanga–Bawku highway, a critical route in the Upper East Region, has long been plagued by dust pollution, potholes, and uneven surfaces, conditions that worsen during the dry season.
Residents of the Bolgatanga East District recently took to the streets to demand immediate government intervention, citing health risks, reduced visibility for drivers, and daily hardship for commuters. Dr. Ayine admitted that while he initially questioned the timing of the protests, his firsthand experience changed his perspective.
“When I saw a woman on a motorbike struggling to shield her child from the dust, I realized there is a real problem that needs urgent attention,” he recounted.
The Bolgatanga East District Assembly has attempted short-term measures such as watering the road to reduce dust levels. However, Dr. Ayine described these efforts as insufficient. “Watering the road is only a temporary measure. We need a permanent solution,” he emphasized.
He revealed that the issue has already been escalated to key stakeholders, including regional authorities, and assured residents that concrete steps will be taken.
Rather than dismissing the demonstrators, Dr. Ayine commended them for drawing national attention to the issue. “I sympathize with them and thank them for bringing public attention to this matter,” he said.
The protests, largely driven by young people in the area, have reignited conversations about infrastructure disparities in northern Ghana and the pace of road development projects. The demonstration has also sparked political debate, with some questioning why similar protests were not staged during previous administrations. Dr. Ayine, however, chose to focus on the present reality rather than political comparisons.
“What matters now is that there is a problem and we must fix it,” he said.
For residents along Kulaa and commuters on the Bolgatanga–Bawku corridor, the Attorney General’s assurance offers a glimmer of hope.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Samuel Adagom | Bolgatanga
