President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Roads and Highways to fast-track the rehabilitation of deteriorating rural road networks, prioritizing feeder routes critical to the agriculture and forestry sectors. The move comes under the government’s ambitious $10 billion “Big Push Agenda,” aimed at modernizing infrastructure and stimulating long-term economic growth.
Speaking during a stop in the Western North Region as part of his nationwide Thank You Tour, Mr. Mahama addressed widespread concerns from farmers and local residents over the poor state of access roads linking farms to key markets.
“These roads are not a luxury; they are a necessity,” the president said in Sefwi Juaboso. “They carry cocoa timber, food, and people. Without them, rural economies suffer.”
The directive mandates immediate attention to strategic road corridors in Enchi, Elubo, Dadeso, Acuantumra, Ajuafua, and Asankragua, along with feeder roads across communities including Sui, Bosunkwanta, Essam, and Bia West. These routes serve as vital arteries for the movement of Ghana’s top agricultural commodities.
According to President Mahama, contractors will resume work without delay, backed by assurances from Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson that funds are available. Payment to contractors, Mahama said, will be processed within two weeks of certificate submission—a move intended to eliminate delays that have historically stalled government-backed infrastructure projects.
The Big Push Agenda, a central pillar of Mahama’s 2025 economic platform, commits at least $2 billion annually toward infrastructure development, with rural connectivity positioned as a key driver of inclusive growth.
“If a project is stalled after sod-cutting, it won’t be due to non-payment,” the president said. “If the contractor isn’t working, then something else is wrong—and that will be addressed.”
The administration views infrastructure as a catalyst to unlock the economic potential of underserved communities, aligning with broader goals of reducing inequality and promoting balanced national development.
Mr. Mahama, who returned to power promising to restore Ghana’s economic momentum, is betting that visible progress in road construction will bolster confidence in his government’s ability to deliver on its pledges.
