Most travellers journeying through the Upper West Region go through constant headache travelling the 150-kilometre highway from Wa through Kejekpere or Han to Tumu and Gwollu in the Sissala District.
The highway also links Wa to other major towns such as Lawra, Nandom, Nadowli and Kaleo, all in the Upper West Region; Navrongo and Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region; and the republics of Burkina Faso and Mali.
Criminal elements The highway, though very important, is in a very poor shape and its state the cause of a number of accidents on it.
The other problem is that criminals elements have taken advantage of the deplorable state of the road and been harassing passengers.
Between January and March this year, there have been 14 highway robberies recorded, with three fatalities and a lot of people being injured. The robbers, who are often masked, wield offensive weapons such as AK 47 rifles. So brazen are they in their activities that they sometimes attack in broad daylight.
The work of the robbers is made easy because of the scattered nature of the settlements with its low populations and the long distance it takes to travel from one location to another and the fact that police stations in the region are far apart.
Dangerous routes The most dangerous points on the highway are between Kejekpere-Wahabu, Kejekperi-Issa-Wellembe and Bussie-Fian. In these areas, telecommunication does not work. Many of the towns also lack infrastructure and social amenities such as health facilities, schools, markets, potable water and lorry parks. Under the circumstances, highway robbers attack with impunity knowing that the chances of being nabbed or arrested later are low.
Police posts The Upper West Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwesi Mensah Duku, has announced measures to combat crime in the region and stem highway robbery once and for all.
The measures include mounting of police posts and tents in crime-prone areas such as Fian, Kojokperi and the Funsi Junction.
In view of the fast pace at which the region is developing, the redevelopment of the highway from Wa to Gwollu is very high on the minds of the people as it would boost commercial activities in the area and ensure free movement of people and goods without fear of incessant attacks by robbers. When the highway is reconstructed, it will also attract a lot of businesses to the region and enhance trade and economic relations between Ghana and her ECOWAS neighbours. Tijaabun- Yini
In the wake of the disturbing trend in highway robbery, the people of Wa have devised a way to go round it. The strategy, dubbed ‘Tijaabun Yini’, which, in the Waale language, means, ‘we are one family’ encourages people to not run away from challenges but rather face up to them. Formerly, people used Tijaabun Yini to save criminals but it is no more being done. Now, the people recognise the need to create a responsible society where they become one another’s keeper while ensuring that the sanctity of the community is kept intact.
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