President John Dramani Mahama has warned contractors and engineers of the Big Push road construction projects that the days of poor construction, inflated claims, and abandoned projects are over.
He boldly declared that contractors must deliver quality on schedule and within budget, as Ghanaians deserve better.
Speaking at the Wa Big Push Project sod-cutting ceremony on November 11, John Mahama stated, “To our contractors and engineers, let me be clear: the day of poor construction, inflated claims, and abandoned projects is over. Ghana deserves better. You must deliver quality on schedule and within budget, and the Ghanaian taxpayer must see value in every kilometre of road we construct”.
Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, will allocate GHC30.8 billion in the 2026 budget for the government’s Big Push road construction projects.
According to John Mahama, the 2026 budget allocation will be double this year’s allocation of GHC13.8 billion.
He added, “As I’ve said everywhere, this year, the Finance Minister put 13.8 billion cedis into the Big Push road construction, and next year, he’s reserving 30.8 billion cedis for the Big Push road construction. And so, payment is not going to be the problem. If a contractor is not working, it is not because he hasn’t been paid. The Minister of Finance has guaranteed that once you raise your certificate and it is certified and inspected, and you’ve completed the road to specification, you will receive your payment immediately.”
“To achieve success in our communities, I urge you to support the work, protect the materials, and cooperate with the engineers,” he appealed.
In a separate sod-cutting ceremony of the 195-kilometre Wenchi–Bole–Sawla–Wa Road, Mahama made a bold declaration that Ghana will have the best roads in West Africa within the next 24 months under the Big Push Initiative.
According to John Mahama, his government is dedicated to constructing more roads over the next two years, with the aim of making transportation safer and more efficient.
He stated, “I wish to repeat my apology and regret to the people of Ghana that with the start of the big push, the whole of Ghana is going to be a construction site for the next two years.
Wherever in this county you go, the road will be under construction, so I ask the Ghanaians to be patient with us and to accept the inconvenience.
Twenty-four months after the launch of the Big Push, you will have the best roads in West Africa”.
He further added, “For the past few years, this strategic artery has been allowed to deteriorate. Potholes, failed pavements, and broken drains have made travel difficult and hazardous.
Vehicle operating costs have risen by nearly 40%, and travel time between Wenchi, Sawla, and Wa can take up to eight hours. Because of the slow pace of movement, armed robberies have also become common. This is unacceptable in modern Ghana.”
According to President Mahama, when the road is completed, travel time will he cut by 50 per cent.
President Mahama added, “When completed, travel time between Wenchi and Wa will be cut by more than 50%, road accidents will reduce by about 45%, and farm produce will reach markets on time. This is the essence of the 24-hour economy: good roads that support production, processing, and logistics to run continuously, creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods.”
“Under this phase of the Big Push, we will reconstruct the Fufulso–Sawla Road and complete the Bole–Mandari–Chache connection to the Ivory Coast border”.
“This will create a continuous high-quality highway from Techiman through Wenchi, Bamboi, Sawla, Wa, and Hamile, connecting the agricultural heartlands of the middle belt to our northern frontier”, he revealed.
Mahama further directed contractors to prioritise local labour and local suppliers during the construction to boost the local economies.
“If you need labour, take the local people, don’t bring workers from elsewhere. If you need food or water, our people here are enterprising enough to supply you. I urge the youth from Bamboi, Banda, Tinga, Bole, and Sawla to take advantage of this opportunity”, he stated.