Excerpt
The Department of Feeder Roads (DFR) is a pivotal agency under Ghana’s Ministry of Roads and Highways, dedicated to the development and maintenance of the nation’s feeder road network. These roads are essential for connecting rural communities, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services, and promoting socio-economic development, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Historical Overview
Established to enhance rural accessibility, the DFR has been instrumental in expanding Ghana’s feeder road network. As of December 2021, the total feeder road network spanned 43,304.70 kilometers. The department has actively promoted the use of Labour-Based Technology (LBT) since 1986, aiming to rehabilitate and maintain feeder roads while creating employment opportunities. This policy was reintroduced in 2009 to further these objectives.
Constitutional Mandates
Operating under the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the DFR is mandated to develop and maintain road units within District and Municipal Assemblies across Ghana. The department’s functions include administering the feeder roads network, reintroducing and promoting Labour-Based Technology, and ensuring effective information management systems for feeder roads.
Leadership and Organizational Structure
The DFR’s organizational structure comprises five main sections:
Development Section:
- Responsible for developing proposals, setting standards, and providing benchmarks for feeder road development.
Maintenance Section:
- Oversees the upkeep and rehabilitation of existing feeder roads to ensure they remain in good condition.
Planning Section:
- Focuses on strategizing and planning for future feeder road projects and expansions.
Materials and Research Section:
- Conducts research on construction materials and methodologies to improve road quality and durability.
Administration Section:
- Provides administrative support to ensure the smooth operation of the department.
Mode of Appointment and Recruitment
Recruitment processes at the DFR are designed to assess candidates’ interest in the work and their relevant experience. Interviews typically explore applicants’ motivations for applying and their relationship to the work. The department values professionalism, respect for employees, and integrity in its recruitment.
Oversight and Ownership
The DFR operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, which provides oversight and policy direction. The ministry is responsible for formulating policies, coordinating sector performance, and monitoring road infrastructure development and maintenance across Ghana.
Partners and Stakeholders
The DFR collaborates with various stakeholders, including international development agencies such as the International Development Association (IDA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). These partnerships have been crucial in funding and implementing feeder road rehabilitation and maintenance projects.
Operations and Job Roles
The DFR’s core operations involve the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of feeder roads. Key job roles within the department include engineers, planners, researchers, and administrative staff, all working collaboratively to ensure the provision of safe, all-weather accessible feeder roads. The department also emphasizes the use of Labour-Based Technology to promote employment and community involvement in road projects.
The DFR is committed to ensuring that 80% of rural communities in Ghana have access to a feeder road within a 2-kilometer radius at optimum cost under a decentralized system.
Historical Reforms
- In 2009, the DFR reintroduced the Labour-Based Technology policy to enhance the rehabilitation and maintenance of feeder roads while creating employment opportunities. This approach not only improved road conditions but also contributed to socio-economic development in rural areas.
References
- https://dfr.gov.gh/dfr-ftp/annual-reports/DFR%202022%20Fourth%20Quarter%20Report.pdf
- https://dfr.gov.gh/
- https://mrh.gov.gh/agencies/department-of-feeder-roads/
- https://dfr.gov.gh/dfr-ftp/about%20us.html
- https://dfr.gov.gh/dfr-ftp/units-sections.html
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Department-of-Feeder-Roads/faq/what-is-the-interview-process-like-at-department-of-feeder-roads
- https://dfr.gov.gh/webview/abtus.aspx
- https://www.ghanayello.com/company/28647/Department_of_Feeder_Roads
- https://opecfund.org/operations/list/national-feeder-road-rehabilitation-and-maintenance-project
- https://dfr.gov.gh/dfr-ftp/annual-reports/dfr-2019-fourth-quarter-report.pdf
- https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNABK054.pdf
- https://mrh.gov.gh/
- https://www.ghana.gov.gh/mdas/a5848ae726/
- https://www.developmentaid.org/organizations/view/208613/department-of-feeder-roads-ho-ghana/jobs?pageSize=100
- https://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/921311468771267333/pdf/multi-page.pdf