Residents of Bekwai in the Ashanti Region are breathing a sigh of relief as the Bekwai Municipal Assembly, through the Decentralized Road Improvement Project (DRIP) Secretariat, has begun reshaping several deplorable roads that have for years made transportation difficult and costly.
The initiative, which is focused on improving rural road networks, is expected to enhance accessibility, reduce travel time, and promote economic activities within the municipality.
The Bekwai Municipal DRIP Coordinator, Hon. Asiedu Gabriel, explained that the intervention involves graveling, regrading, and making spot improvements on key roads. He noted that the project’s main objective is to address the transportation challenges that have long affected residents, farmers, traders, and students in the area.
One of the major undertakings is the 3-kilometre Worakese–Asamang bypass, which is being reshaped to serve as a direct route for farmers transporting goods and students traveling to and from school. Hon. Asiedu revealed that the bypass also aligns with the Asamang community’s plans to establish a technical school, making road access critical for the town’s anticipated development.
“So far, we have successfully regraded the Assuminja–Asantemanso–Kokofu bypass and moved on to Anwiankwanta, where we reshaped another key section. This 3-kilometre stretch remains one of the most important road projects we have embarked upon, and it is scheduled for completion within three days,” he said.
Residents who spoke about the project expressed joy and gratitude, describing the intervention as timely and long overdue. Many lamented that the deplorable state of the roads had discouraged taxi and tricycle (popularly known as pragia) drivers from operating in the area, which forced commuters to pay higher transport fares or walk long distances.
Hon. Asiedu Gabriel also urged community leaders to liaise with the DRIP office through proper procedures in order to access equipment and technical support for their respective localities. He stressed that such collaboration would ensure more equitable distribution of road improvement works across the Bekwai municipality.
For many households, the road rehabilitation has rekindled hope for better living conditions. “For years, we struggled to get our farm produce to Bekwai township because drivers refused to use this road. Now, with the reshaping, we can save money and time, and our children can also go to school safely,” a resident noted.
The project is widely expected to transform local mobility, stimulate trade, and provide safer and more reliable routes for schoolchildren, farmers, and transport operators throughout the municipality.
