President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that he has directed the Finance Minister, Dr Ato Forson, to release GH¢1 billion to settle debts owed to contractors since 2017.
Speaking during a sod-cutting ceremony for the Sunayi-Atronie-Achrensua project on Sunday, December 21, 2025, President Mahama made this known.
He highlighted that the GH¢1 billion debts owed to contractors since 2017 must be disbursed before Christmas.
President Mahama stated, “I have directed the Finance Minister, Dr Ato Forson, to release GH¢1 billion to settle debts owed to contractors since 2017 before Christmas. All the contractors will be paid, and the deceased families should follow up to receive the money”.
“I want to urge contractors to hurry up with their certificates to receive your money. Your money will only be delayed if you are lazy,” Mahama added.
President Mahama further assured contractors that resources have been made available for the Big Push programme, and to support the resumption and completion of stalled projects.
In related news, President Mahama has 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.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony of the 195-kilometre Wenchi–Bole–Sawla–Wa Road, President Mahama 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”.
Also, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in Charge of Government Communications, has debunked claims that the NDC’s flagship Big Push road project is stalling.
According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Big Push road agenda is fully funded for 2025–2026.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, December 9, Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained, “We have said that we will not pay mobilisation fees, because there are instances where contractors have been paid mobilisation [fees], and they have not done the work. However, if a contractor raises a certificate after doing work, and it is certified to reflect the actual work done, within a matter of 30 days, the certificates will be honoured.”
He detailed, “And the Finance Minister [Dr Ato Forson] has made that very clear. So those who claim that Big Push is not being done because mobilisation has not been done are clearly wrong on that one. This year alone, another GHC30 billion has been allocated for Big Push roads to be contracted. Because roads are one of the biggest problems we have in this country.”
“One of the major campaign promises that President John Dramani Mahama put before the people of Ghana was a Big Push agenda. And since we have been in power, at least GHC43 billion has been earmarked for that expenditure. GHC13.9 billion in 2025 and GHC30 billion in 2026”.