The government has announced an ambitious infrastructure development strategy under President John Mahama’s Big Push Programme, with GH¢13.8 billion earmarked for road projects aimed at stimulating economic activity, connecting communities, and creating thousands of jobs across the country.
Presenting the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament on Thursday, July 24, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said the Big Push Programme is a “flagship initiative of President John Mahama for massive infrastructure development,” adding that all oil revenues and mineral royalties allocated to the budget over the next two years have been committed to the initiative.
“Mr. Speaker, all Big Push budgetary allocations over the next two years have been dedicated to improving road infrastructure,” Dr. Forson told the House. “This translates to about 5,000 km of roads to be reconstructed in 166 constituencies identified as being in dire need.”
The Ministry of Roads and Highways has already completed technical assessments and cost estimates, and the Ministry of Finance has issued commitment authorisations for over 30 priority projects across all regions. These include the new bridge over the Oti River at Dambai, the dualisation of the Winneba-Mankessim Road, and the rehabilitation of the Techiman-Nkonsia-Wenchi Road, among others.
Parliament is being asked to approve these multi-year commitments in line with Section 33 of the Public Financial Management Act. “We are seeking approval for these projects as part of this mid-year review,” Dr. Forson said.
The government is also reviving abandoned projects with no prior funding under the previous administration, including the Ofankor-Nsawam dual carriageway, the Suame Interchange, and the Kasoa-Winneba Road. “These projects are being brought back to life to ensure equitable infrastructure development,” he added.
In a bid to sustain road infrastructure over the long term, the government has proposed the replacement of the Ghana Road Fund with a new Road Maintenance Trust Fund. A bill is expected before Parliament to establish the Fund, which will introduce a revised governance architecture and formula for fairer and more transparent resource allocation.
Dr. Forson also revealed that feasibility studies are underway for four additional mega-projects, including the Accra-Kumasi Motorway, the Accra and Kumasi Outer Ring Roads, and the Adawso-Ekye Amanfrom Bridge to connect Afram Plains.
The infrastructure push is directly linked to Ghana’s job creation strategy. “Our investment in roads will stimulate demand across the construction supply chain, generate jobs for engineers, artisans, and labourers, and improve access to markets,” Dr. Forson explained.
This initiative is being implemented alongside other employment-focused programs such as the 24-Hour Economy Policy and the Accelerated Export Development Programme, both of which target agro-processing, logistics, and manufacturing as areas for job expansion.
“We are not just spending for the sake of it—we are investing in infrastructure that delivers economic value, boosts productivity, and provides jobs for the Ghanaian people. This is the reset President Mahama promised, and we are delivering it brick by brick,” Minister Forson said.
