The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) is investigating the slow progress of the SNH-Dzodze road project. This important road was meant to be built using Ghana's oil money. Over GHS 12 billion in oil revenue has been spent on infrastructure projects across Ghana. Residents in Ketu North Municipality are struggling with this delayed project. The road is in very bad shape. Farmers and drivers face many difficulties because of it.
The Ehi-Dzodze road project was planned to be finished by 2011. It was meant to have a new bitumen surface. That means a smooth, black top layer for the road. It is now 2024, and many parts are still terrible. This delay makes daily life hard for everyone. PIAC is on a mission to check how oil money is used. They want to make sure these projects help local people. The committee visited the area to see the situation for themselves. They inspected other projects too, like a large warehouse. This warehouse will help farmers store their crops better.
Ghana started earning oil revenue in 2010. This money is supposed to help the country develop. Funds are allocated to specific projects. These include roads, schools, and health facilities. The Ehi-Dzodze road project is one such project. There is a growing concern about how this money is managed. Some critics say funds might not be used wisely. This can slow down Ghana's economic growth. Over the years, there have been reports of projects starting slowly. This project in the Volta Region is a clear example of these issues.
Emmanuel Gyapong, a senior technical manager at PIAC, spoke about the visit. He said the goal is to check if projects are done well. He also wants to ensure Ghanaians get good value for their money. The long delay of the Ehi-Dzodze road is worrying. Mr. Gyapong stressed that using oil funds must be open and honest. It must ensure that money helps communities effectively. PIAC is working to hold officials responsible for these projects.
The current situation on the Ehi-Dzodze road causes serious problems. Drivers say their vehicles break down often. This costs them a lot of money. Traders find it harder and more expensive to move goods. Farmers cannot easily get their produce to markets. This means they may lose some of their harvest. The Municipal Chief Executive for Ketu North, Rev. Martin Amenaki, agrees. He said the bad road slows business and makes travel difficult. He asked the government to step in. He wants them to recover any misplaced funds. He also wants the contract to be fixed. This will help the project get finished quickly.
Residents hope finishing the road will bring big changes. Better roads mean easier travel. It also means lower costs for businesses. New job chances could appear for people in the area. For many Ghanaians, they expect oil money to improve their lives. They want to see lasting benefits from these investments. This is a key part of using Ghana's natural resources responsibly. PIAC's investigation will shed light on what went wrong. It will also push for better management of future projects.