Faith Nyasuguta
Ghana is preparing to launch construction of the Volivo Bridge, an ambitious infrastructure project that will become the tallest road bridge in the country and one of its most significant engineering achievements to date. The development follows high-level consultations between the Government of Ghana and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), underscoring deepening cooperation between Accra and Tokyo on strategic infrastructure.
The new bridge will rise across the Volta River in the country’s Eastern Corridor, providing a modern transport link between the Volta and Oti regions. Officials say the project is central to Ghana’s efforts to modernise its road network, ease travel, and stimulate economic growth in areas that have long faced logistical challenges.
Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Agbodza described recent discussions with JICA’s Head of Africa Investment, Yushi Nagano, as constructive and forward-looking. He indicated that preparations are advanced and that President John Mahama is expected to officially break ground on the project later this year.
Designed as a 540-metre cable-stayed bridge, the Volivo Bridge will feature a 280-metre main span supported by two towers each standing 51 metres high, making them the tallest bridge towers in Ghana. The structure will include two traffic lanes, pedestrian walkways, and modern safety features. Once completed, it will exceed the length of the historic Adomi Bridge by roughly 200 metres, setting new national records for both height and span.
Beyond its engineering scale, the bridge is expected to have meaningful economic and social impacts. By improving connectivity between the Volta and Oti regions, the project will reduce travel times, lower transportation costs, and make it easier for goods and people to move across the corridor. Authorities believe the improved link will boost trade, tourism, and agricultural distribution, while also strengthening regional integration.
JICA’s participation highlights Japan’s continuing commitment to supporting infrastructure growth across Africa. The agency is providing not only financial backing but also technical expertise, design support, and project management to ensure the bridge meets high standards of durability and sustainability. Japan has previously partnered with several African countries on transport and urban development projects, earning a reputation for delivering reliable, long-lasting infrastructure.
For Ghana, the Volivo Bridge forms part of a broader national strategy to upgrade critical transport routes and unlock economic potential in underserved regions. Officials see the project as a symbol of the country’s development ambitions and its ability to leverage international partnerships to deliver complex, large-scale works.
With construction expected to begin soon, the Volivo Bridge is poised to become both a practical transport solution and a landmark of modern engineering – a visible sign of Ghana’s progress and its expanding collaboration with Japan.
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