Shop owners lining Wa–Sawla road in the Wa Municipality are calling for new trading venues as the Ghana Highway Authority prepares to demolish structures that block the planned dualisation of the 25‑kilometre stretch. The demolition is slated for the end of October 2026, with work expected to resume immediately once the buildings are removed.
Damadi Lavestone, the Upper West Regional Director of Highways, said construction on the road began in January 2026 and the contractor has a 36‑month window to finish. He noted that the project includes drainage, culverts, road widening, filling and sub‑base construction, and that an evaluation team has already marked the structures that must be taken down to allow the work to proceed.
"Once the structures are removed, work on the affected sections will commence immediately," Lavestone told reporters. The dual carriageway will extend about nine kilometres beyond the University for Development Studies area, separate from the Wa–Tumu and Wa–Navrongo corridors, which also started in January 2026 and are due by January 2028.
Alhaji Issah Nurah Danwannah, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive, said occupants of the affected spaces were granted temporary permits on the condition they vacate when development begins. He added that the municipality had notified traders ahead of time and expects compliance. Danwannah also announced plans to reorganise and beautify the road corridor after construction, including the creation of prefabricated container shops for businesses.
Despite some traders’ willingness to make way for the project, many remain uneasy about relocating their businesses. They are urging authorities to provide suitable sites before the demolition starts, citing concerns over loss of income and the difficulty of setting up new stalls.
Commercial drivers have welcomed the dualisation, urging the government and contractors to accelerate the work. They say the expanded road will improve traffic flow, reduce driving‑related stress and make travel easier for motorists and other road users.
The project is part of broader efforts to upgrade road infrastructure and transportation in the Upper West Region, aiming to modernise Wa and enhance connectivity across the area.
As demolition approaches, traders and local businesses will watch closely to see whether alternative trading spaces are offered and how the project’s timeline may affect their livelihoods.
