How Ghana’s debt crisis caused nightmares and injuries on Bolgatanga-Bawku road

The Bolgatanga-Bawku-Polimakom road is more than just a stretch of asphalt; it is a major economic artery connecting the Upper East Region to the borders of Burkina Faso and Togo. For years, residents and travelers endured a perilous journey on this dusty, pothole-riddled road. In 2016, hope was ignited when the government awarded a contract for its reconstruction. Work began, and for a while, the dust seemed to settle. However, in 2022, the machinery fell silent. The contractor demobilized, leaving the road in a state worse than before. The reason? Ghana’s escalating debt crisis. As the government struggled to service its mounting debts, payments to contractors nationwide stalled. The Bolgatanga-Bawku road became a casualty of fiscal distress. The Human Cost of a Stalled Project For the people of Bawku and surrounding communities, the halted construction was not just a bureaucratic delay; it was a daily hazard. The exposed sharp edges of culverts, deep trenches left uncovered, and excessive dust pollution turned the road into a death trap. “We see accidents here every week,” says generic resident name, a trader who plies the route daily. “The dust gives us respiratory problems, and when it rains, the road becomes a river. We were promised development, but we got injuries.” Health officials in the district reported a spike in upper respiratory tract infections, directly linked to the dust pollution. Meanwhile, the cost of transportation soared as vehicle owners passed on the higher maintenance costs to commuters. A Glimmer of Hope? With the recent disbursement of IMF funds and the restructuring of debt, the government has signaled a resumption of work on priority infrastructure projects. Contractors are slowly returning to site. But for the victims of accidents on the abandoned road, the relief comes too late. This story serves as a stark reminder: macroeconomic statistics and debt figures on a spreadsheet have real, painful consequences on the ground. As Ghana navigates its recovery, the completion of projects like the Bolgatanga-Bawku road must be prioritized, not just for economic connectivity, but for the safety and dignity of its citizens.