GRAPHIC ONLINE
search_graphic_on

Mohammed Fugu
Aug – 18 – 2025 , 07:54
4 minutes read

All Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that use any District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) machines in the regional pool must return them to the regional coordinating councils (RCCs) after use.


Although many of the DRIP machines were allocated to the various districts, key ones were in the custody of the regional coordinating councils (RCCs) so that districts could apply and access them.

Speaking in Tamale at the opening of a two-day orientation and training programme for District DRIP Coordinators from the Northern and Savannah regions, the National Coordinator of DRIP, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, emphasised discipline and commitment in managing the equipment to ensure the successful and sustainable implementation of the initiative.

He said the programme focused on building the capacity of all personnel involved.

“We want to motivate and inspire you to be patriotic and nationalistic so you handle this responsibility with utmost commitment to protect the national interest,” he stated.

Sustainability
Mr Vanderpuye added that the sustainability of the programme would depend largely on how coordinators and assemblies applied the training they received and how responsibly they managed the shared equipment.


Ali Adolf John (3rd from right), Northern Regional Minister; Nii Lante Vanderpuye (3rd from left), National DRIP Coordinator, with some MMDCEs

Ali Adolf John (3rd from right), Northern Regional Minister; Nii Lante Vanderpuye (3rd from left), National DRIP Coordinator, with some MMDCEs

He added that misuse, neglect or hoarding of the machines would not only delay development in other districts, but also undermine the confidence of government and development partners in the initiative.


The former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development pointed out that the RCC system of equipment pooling was designed to ensure fairness and efficiency, stressing that no district should attempt to monopolise the machinery at the expense of others.

“When one assembly refuses to return a machine, it automatically denies another community the opportunity to have its roads improved. That is unfair and against the very spirit of national service,” he stressed.


Mr Vanderpuye stressed that the DRIP was not just about machines and roads, but about building a culture of accountability, patriotism and shared responsibility.

“The DRIP is a test of our collective discipline. If we fail to manage these resources responsibly, it means we are not ready for the bigger responsibilities of nation-building.

“But if we succeed, it will demonstrate that MMDAs can be trusted with national resources for the benefit of the people,” the National Coordinator of DRIP said firmly.


He, therefore, urged coordinators to become champions of accountability in their respective districts and to lead by example in reporting, monitoring, and ensuring the timely return of all DRIP equipment.

Worry
The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, expressed worry over the reluctance of some assemblies to release key equipment, including low beds and wheel loaders, which were supposed to be stationed at the RCC in a central pool for onward allocation to districts when the need arose.

Such practice, he said, was depriving other assemblies from assessing the equipment for urgent needs.

“The DRIP machines were allocated to the various districts, but some key equipment was to be stationed at the RCC so that at any point in time, any district that required it would have access.

“Unfortunately, some assemblies are reluctant to return them after they pick them up for use,” he pointed out.

Mr John warned that punitive measures would be taken against any assembly that failed to comply with the directive.

“I have warned that any district that takes any of the equipment and does not return it will attract severe sanctions,” he stressed.

The participants were equipped with the requisite knowledge on how to effectively manage the equipment as part of efforts to enhance road infrastructure in their respective districts.

Background
In February this year, President John Dramani Mahama appointed Nii Lante Vanderpuye, a former Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo, as the National Coordinator for DRIP.

Former President Nana Akufo-Addo unveiled the fleet of 2,240 units of road construction equipment on July 31, last year, to decentralise development and ensure that every corner of the country benefits from good road infrastructure.

The equipment includes motor graders, backhoe site masters, rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, water tankers and lowbed trucks.

A large part of the equipment was assembled in Ghana, which employed 2,000 local hands with support from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces.Ghanaian cultural tours

DRIP was designed to empower MMDAs with the resources and equipment necessary to rehabilitate and maintain roads within their respective jurisdictions.

Its management was to be overseen by a four-member committee at each metropolitan, municipal or district assembly, comprising a technical officer from the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, one technical officer from the Ministry of Roads and Highways, and one person from the 48 Engineer  Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, all under the overall chairmanship of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.

Their mandate was to ensure the highest standards of quality and accountability in the execution of road projects across the nation.Ghanaian cultural tours

Writer’s email: mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh


From Around The Web
Solar
Trending Ghana News
Ghanaian cultural tours
BSIFF and Majesty Cinemas lead the charge in West African film collaboration

New blood pressure guidelines recommend skipping alcohol and an earlier start to treatment
Dr Edem Hiadzi (right), CEO, Lister Hospital and Fertility Care, and Dr Senanu Djokoto (middle), deputy CEO, Operations, NHIA, in a panel discussion being moderated by Benard Avle (left), Journalist. Picture: ERNEST KODZI
Post-graduate medical education investment will stem attrition — Speakers

Born but not counted – 7,560 Unregistered babies in Upper East

One person arrested in Mpohor gold shop robbery
Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II (right), Ga Mantse, sprinkling kpokpoi in the various households  Picture: CALEB VANDERPUYE
How Ga Mashie celebrated Homowo
Ridge Hospital condemns staff assault amid emergency ward confrontation
Ridge Hospital condemns staff assault amid emergency ward confrontation
GOC funds USA camp for Ghana’s 4×100 team, appeals for corporate backing
GOC funds USA camp for Ghana’s 4×100 team, appeals for corporate backing

National Theatre to host ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’

President Mahama embarks on key diplomatic mission to Japan and Singapore

Jealous husband shoots wife over infidelity allegation

Fuseini: Honour fallen officers by making responsible mining work

NPP grants amnesty to suspended members but bars them from internal contests for two years
Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah – Deputy Minister of Health and MP for Essikado-Ketan
Stop using ‘unearned’ academic title or face us in court – GTEC writes to Chief of Staff on Deputy Minister of Health…
AG Ayine rejects bar council and lawyers call for Justice Torkornoo to be reinstated as Chief Justice
AG Ayine rejects bar council and lawyers call for Justice Torkornoo to be reinstated as Chief Justice

Bar Council, Commonwealth Lawyers Association demand reinstatement of suspended CJ Torkornoo

Mpox cases in Ghana climb to 409, two patients hospitalised
French embassy employee arrested in Mali on
French embassy employee arrested in Mali on “unfounded” accusations, says French foreign office
Sqn Ldr Anala
Our 8 fallen patriots – Squadron Leader Anala
There are over 1,000 varieties of mango grown in India
Are mangoes good for diabetes? Indian studies challenge conventional wisdom
Ghana pays $1million to keep students at University of Memphis
Ghana pays $1million to keep students at University of Memphis

Name Sandema Military Barracks after Squadron Leader Peter Anala – Builsa Traditional Council
TikTok threats case: Hairdresser granted GH¢150,000 bail over alleged death threats against Mahama
TikTok threats case: Hairdresser granted GH¢150,000 bail over alleged death threats against Mahama
Richarlison hails Kudus as ‘Brazilian’ after dazzling Spurs debut
Richarlison hails Kudus as ‘Brazilian’ after dazzling Spurs debut
The injured boy
Mother burns son for losing pen
• Tthe Arts Centre, which operates under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
Tour guides accused of undermining Arts Centre businesses

Blame greed for GH movie failure on YouTube –Xandy Kamel

Rapper Sean Kingston sentenced to 3 years for fraud scheme

8 Wives, 8 voices – Love woven through

Winneba: Police foil attempted robbery at bank
Families throwing sand on the caskets of the fallen patriots as part of the final rites during the burial ceremony. Pictures: ELVIS NII NOI DOWUONA
6 Patriots laid to rest at Military Cemetery

Bolga Technical Institute closed down after rampaging students torched school property

Ghana: 6 remaining helicopter crash victims laid to rest
Vladimir Putin — President of Russia
Putin’s peace test: Engage Zelensky or escalate the war

A nation’s promise: Honouring our fallen patriots, supporting their children
Children of Dr Edward Omane Boamah
Honour for military heroes, care for crash victims’ children

Asanteman in deep mourning: Fare thee well Asantehemaa
4 killed in Star Oil fuel tanker accident at Asukawkaw
4 killed in Star Oil fuel tanker accident at Asukawkaw
Stacey Yayra Makumator: A remarkable symbol of excellence,  resilience and impactful leadership in logistics and development
Stacey Yayra Makumator: A remarkable symbol of excellence, resilience and impactful leadership in logistics and…

Haruna Iddrisu’s tribute to Omane Boamah
Mahama: ‘You are not alone’ — President sets up fund for victims’ children
Mahama: ‘You are not alone’ — President sets up fund for victims’ children
Download Graphic NewsPlus App

About GCGL
About GCGL
Terms Of Use
Privacy Policy
Contact Us
Sitemap
Daily Graphic Newspaper
Get Graphic NewsPlus
News Content
Ghana Politics
News in Ghana
Entertainment News
Business News
Sports News
World News
Editorials
News Videos
© 2005 – 2025 Graphic Online | Graphic Communications Group Ltd.
GRAPHIC ONLINE
Home
News
Showbiz
Politics
Sports
Lifestyle
Business
Videos
Features
+233242202447 +233242202447 webcontact@graphic.com.gh
Connect With Us : 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 059 199 7513 |

77
Shares
facebook sharing button
whatsapp sharing button
twitter sharing button
sms sharing button
sharethis sharing button