By: Ashiadey Dotse
The National Coordinator for the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP), Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, says the intervention of DRIP has significantly reduced pressure on the central government to fix roads at the district level.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Mr. Vandepuye explained that through the DRIP initiative, district assemblies are now taking greater responsibility for maintaining and improving local roads. According to him, this has helped reduce public agitation and demonstrations over poor roads in several communities.
He noted that with DRIP’s support, many assemblies have been able to identify and rehabilitate bad roads using their own equipment and local labour instead of waiting for central government contracts.
“This intervention has lessened the pressure and the problems that assemblies go through in taking care of our roads,” he stated.
Citing examples, Mr. Vandepuye mentioned road works between Old Barrier and Weija, and other areas where the District Chief Executive and local engineers have carried out multiple improvement works under the programme.
“For about nine months now, that road has been improved three times. The people there are surprised that this could be done,” he said.
He further explained that DRIP operates under the decentralization policy, working through the local government system. Unlike the Ministry of Roads and Highways or the Department of Feeder Roads, DRIP does not award contracts but relies on assemblies’ own resources and manpower to execute works.
“Instead of awarding contracts, assemblies use their own equipment and labour to fix roads. This ensures accountability and quality because they know the project is for their own community,” he added.
Mr. Vandepuye stressed that the initiative has already opened up several previously impassable roads across districts, improving access to markets, schools, and health facilities. He assured that DRIP would continue to support assemblies to deliver better road networks, enhance mobility, and promote local development.
