President John Dramani Mahama has launched his government’s flagship infrastructure initiative, the Big Push programme which aims to bolster road infrastructure in the country.
The President launched the project in Accra on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 while cutting sod for multiple road projects to begin in the Greater Accra Region.
The programme, which was first promised in the 2020 election campaign and revived following his re-election in 2024, aims to tackle Ghana’s staggering infrastructure deficit, particularly in the road sector.
President Mahama further announced a 24-month deadline for the completion of the Dodowa-Afienya-Dawhenya road project after the sod-cutting ceremony.
“On this road as I said is Oswal Investment Limited and I can say he is one of the best local contractors. And the good thing is he works with speed, works very fast but doesn’t compromise quality.
“So, I want to assure the people of Dodowa-Afienya-Dawhenya that you have one of the best Ghanaian contractors doing your road. We have given him 24 months to finish but he has whispered in my ears that he will do it shorter than 24 months,” the President stated.
Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, also described the initiative as a “bold intervention” that goes beyond politics.
Mr. Agbodza stated that the government is determined to produce results despite the significant debt load that currently hangs over the Ministry, which is believed to be GH¢40 billion owed to contractors.
“Mr President, if you come to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, we owe probably GH¢40 billion in debt to contractors,” he revealed.
“But when we went round the country, the 16 regions, it was difficult to see what the money was spent on.”
He lauded President John Mahama for his leadership in pushing through what he referred to as the largest single intervention in Ghana’s road sector.
“Despite all that, Mr President, you made a bold commitment to institute an intervention that will go down in history as the president that gave the biggest dose of intervention at a single time on our roads,” the Minister declared.
“The Big Push is not a campaign promise, it is a bold intervention by your government.”
Mr Agbodza dismissed concerns about the potential delay of the project, emphasising the capability of the contractor handling the project.
“When we say we can do this project within four months, we mean business. The people of Greater Accra and Ga-Dangbe, don’t be worried,” he assured.
“The contractor that is on this stretch, I believe, can do this project in less than 24 months.”
The government has allocated GH¢13.85 billion (US$892.9 million) for the Big Push programme.
