The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Roads and Highways, has opened a fresh bidding process for the construction of the Volivo Bridge over the Volta River, advancing efforts to deliver the long-delayed infrastructure project.
Roads and Highways Minister, Hon Kwame Governs Agbodza, disclosed that an evaluation team had been constituted to assess the submitted bids, with the exercise expected to be completed within seven days and construction anticipated to begin in early 2027.
The Ghana-Japan partnership is expected to improve transportation links across the Volta River, facilitate trade and expand access to essential services for communities on both sides. Hon Agbodza reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the project progresses from procurement to actual construction.
“We are hoping that towards the end of the year, early part of next year, actual construction work should be ready.”
Roads and Highways Minister, Hon Kwame Governs Agbodza
The latest bidding exercise follows earlier attempts to deliver the project, which began around 2015 and 2016 but stalled after a contractor had been selected.
Volivo Bridge Bidding Process Enters New Phase
Speaking at the unveiling of the bidding process, Hon. Agbodza disclosed that the government had worked with its Japanese counterparts and project consultants to accelerate preparatory activities and reach the latest procurement milestone.
“Today’s activity is actually a bridged version. We shouldn’t have been at this milestone yet, but working together with our Japanese counterparts and the consultants, we’ve been able to fast-track many of the processes leading to us having the opportunity to do the bid opening today”.
Roads and Highways Minister, Hon Kwame Governs Agbodza
According to the minister, an evaluation team has been established to examine proposals submitted by prospective contractors. The assessment is expected to be completed within seven days, paving the way for the selection of a contractor.
The government is confident that the procurement process will produce a contractor capable of delivering the project. Hon Agbodza assured that the successful bidder would receive the necessary support to commence work.
Mahama’s Japan Engagement Helps Revive Delayed Project
Hon Agbodza traced the project’s origins to 2015 and 2016, when a full procurement process was undertaken and a contractor selected. However, the project could not proceed, causing the earlier process to collapse.
He credited President John Dramani Mahama’s engagement with Japanese counterparts, particularly during his third visit to Japan, with helping restore the project’s prospects.
The minister described the renewed momentum as an important achievement in Ghana-Japan cooperation, expressing hope that the bridge would become tangible evidence of the relationship between the two countries.
Hon. Kwame Agbodza also expressed optimism about the engineering significance of the proposed structure, describing it as potentially one of the most beautiful engineering works on Ghana’s landscape.
Volivo Bridge Expected to Improve Trade and Connectivity
Beyond its engineering significance, the Volivo Bridge is expected to address transportation challenges associated with movement across the Volta River.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways has highlighted its potential to improve connectivity between communities on both sides of the river, facilitate the movement of goods and people, and enhance access to essential services.
Improved transportation links could also support commercial activities by making movement between surrounding communities easier. The bridge is therefore expected to serve as an important infrastructure connection with implications for local economic activity and mobility.
For communities that depend on movement across the river, its completion could provide a more convenient transport link and strengthen connections between settlements.
Government Targets Construction Commencement in 2027
With the fresh bidding process underway, attention is now turning to the evaluation of proposals and the selection of a contractor. The Ministry expects the assessment to be completed within seven days, while Hon Kwame Agbodza has expressed hope that construction preparations will be concluded towards the end of 2026 or early 2027.
The next phase will depend on the successful completion of procurement and the mobilisation of the selected contractor. The government has pledged to provide the necessary support to facilitate the start of work.
For Ghana and Japan, the Volivo Bridge represents an opportunity to translate bilateral cooperation into a significant infrastructure achievement. For communities around the Volta River, its completion is expected to improve connectivity, trade, and access to essential services.
The opening of bids marks renewed momentum, but the project’s ultimate significance will depend on whether the procurement process leads to construction and the delivery of its anticipated transportation benefits.
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