Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has assured that the newly launched Big Push road project in Afienya, Greater Accra Region, will be completed in less than 24 months.
Describing the initiative as a “bold intervention” that transcends politics, Mr. Agbodza said the government was determined to deliver results despite the Ministry’s heavy debt burden, estimated at 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 at the sod-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, September 16. “But when we went round the country, the 16 regions, it was difficult to see what the money was spent on.”
He commended President John Mahama for championing what he called 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 Big Push is not a campaign promise, it is a bold intervention by your government,” he declared.
Addressing concerns about possible delays, the Minister expressed confidence in the contractor handling the Afienya stretch.
“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. The contractor that is on this stretch, I believe, can do this project in less than 24 months,” he assured.
Mr. Agbodza pledged that the Big Push would deliver visible results, with strict monitoring of timelines and quality.
“We shall implement Big Push, and the results will be there for everyone to see,” he said.
The government has earmarked GH¢13.85 billion (US$892.9 million) for the programme, which covers 42 road projects nationwide.
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