Wa traders demand alternative sites before road project demolition

Shop owners along the Wa–Sawla road in the Wa Municipality have appealed to the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to provide alternative trading spaces before the scheduled demolition of their structures. The demolition is part of a 25-kilometre road dualisation project designed to modernise the regional capital’s infrastructure and improve traffic flow. While many affected business owners acknowledge the necessity of the project, they express deep concern over the immediate loss of their livelihoods without a clear relocation plan in place.

The construction project, which began in January 2026, is slated for completion by October 2026. For the local vendors who have established their businesses along this corridor, the impending demolition represents a significant economic disruption. These traders have indicated a willingness to relocate to facilitate the infrastructure expansion, but they insist that the GHA and local municipal authorities must secure suitable alternative sites to ensure they can continue their commercial activities without a prolonged hiatus.

Local officials have responded to these concerns by stating that the project includes plans to beautify the municipality and eventually provide new opportunities for local businesses once the road is completed. Conversely, the project has received strong support from the driving public. Commuters and transport operators anticipate that the dualisation of the Wa–Sawla road will significantly reduce congestion, ease travel times, and enhance overall road safety within the municipality.

As the October 2026 completion deadline approaches, the tension between necessary infrastructure development and the survival of small-scale roadside commerce remains a focal point for the Wa Municipality. The successful execution of the dualisation project will depend on the effective coordination between the GHA and the local government in addressing the displacement of traders, ensuring that the modernization of the road network does not come at the expense of the local economy.