Kumasi, June 15, 2025 — Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced the imminent nationwide deployment of heavy machinery under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) to construct and rehabilitate farm roads, a key step aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and easing food transportation.
Speaking to journalists in Kumasi on Sunday, June 15, Mr. Opoku said the government is providing every district with the necessary fuel and financial support to operate the earth-moving equipment already procured under the DRIP initiative.
“What we intend to do is to provide all districts with the financial resources to fuel the machines and use the available equipment to develop access roads. This will make it easier to transport food from farms to communities without any difficulty,” the minister stated.
In a bold move to maximize the utility of these machines, the government will temporarily suspend all major road construction contracts in rural areas, allowing DRIP equipment to be used more efficiently in improving farm access.
Mr. Opoku revealed that he personally intervened to halt new road contracts being prepared for some rural communities, noting that such projects were unnecessary given the availability of DRIP machinery.
“Just last week, some people were preparing to award contracts for the construction of roads in some rural communities. I asked them to stop because we already have the equipment. All we need to do is provide them with fuel and let them go to work,” he explained.
The DRIP initiative, according to the minister, is critical to facilitating food transport, reducing post-harvest losses, and strengthening the agricultural value chain. By leveraging existing machinery and local government capacity, the programme aims to provide a cost-effective and timely solution to rural infrastructure deficits.
Stakeholders in agriculture have welcomed the announcement, calling for transparent oversight and local accountability to ensure the programme delivers lasting impact.
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