Tamale, Aug. 15, 2025 — Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, has underscored the critical role of the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP) in enhancing rural road infrastructure, urging newly appointed district coordinators to uphold transparency, accountability, and professionalism in their work.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day orientation for new DRIP district coordinators at the Mariam Hotel in Tamale, Hon. Adolf commended the National DRIP Coordinator and his team for organizing the programme, which ran from August 14–15, 2025.
He explained that DRIP is designed to empower Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with the tools and resources needed to address the persistent challenges of deteriorating road networks, especially in rural communities. The Minister stressed that the coordinators’ role is central to translating DRIP’s vision into tangible improvements in infrastructure quality, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
While acknowledging that the job comes with challenges, Hon. Adolf assured the coordinators of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council’s (NRCC) support — provided they maintain proper conduct. He also called on facilitators to instill the principles of community engagement, technical expertise, and safety in the trainees, and encouraged the participants to take full advantage of the training.
The Minister expressed concern over some MMDAs’ reluctance to return equipment after use, citing an ongoing case involving the Zabzugu District Assembly. He directed the Regional DRIP Coordinator, Mr. Seidu Seini, to ensure the return of a wheel loader from Zabzugu by the end of the week or face strict sanctions.
In his remarks, National DRIP Coordinator, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, said the orientation aims to equip district coordinators with skills in effective equipment management, operation, and reporting to ensure optimal use of DRIP resources.
This report is based on information posted on the Northern Regional Coordinating Council’s official Facebook page and monitored by ZaaNewsroom.
