Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development officially launched the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) at the Independence Square in Accra.
The event also marked the handover of critical earth-moving equipment and ancillary tools to the country’s Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) yesterday.
The DRIP is set to revolutionise road maintenance and development across Ghana by facilitating the upkeep, rehabilitation and upgrading of both urban and feeder roads.
This initiative is expected to significantly enhance mobility and accessibility, addressing widespread frustrations due to inadequate road networks.
“Today signifies a pivotal moment in our governance system,” said Mr. Korsah.
“The DRIP represents not just an investment in infrastructure but also a deep commitment to improving service delivery and advancing decentralisation.”
The programme has been described as the most substantial decentralisation effort in Ghana’s history, as it aims to empower District Assemblies with the necessary tools and resources to manage road maintenance effectively.
This initiative comes with a job creation component, potentially providing employment for over 10,000 Ghanaians.
Minister Korsah emphasised the programme’s innovative approach, which goes beyond previous efforts by equipping Assemblies with a comprehensive suite of tools, rather than just graders.
He acknowledged the skepticism from some quarters but stressed that the DRIP’s scale and scope mark a significant departure from past practices.
To ensure the sustainability of the programme, stringent monitoring and maintenance protocols have been established.
Training programmes for operators, drivers and technicians are part of the implementation strategy to ensure proper use and longevity of the equipment.
“We have put in place rigorous monitoring controls, both digital and physical and will demand strict compliance to guarantee the success and sustainability of DRIP,” Mr. Korsah added.
He also called on all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs), and other stakeholders to adhere to the operational structures set out to prevent misuse and ensure the efficient use of the provided equipment.
According to him, the DRIP represents a bold step by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration in its ongoing effort to decentralise power and resources, aiming to foster more effective local governance and infrastructure development.
