Government commits over GH¢40 billion to Big Push road programme- President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that the Government has so far committed more than GH¢40 billion towards repairing and improving roads captured under the Big Push programme.

He made this known during an inspection of ongoing road projects between Asikuma and Anyirawase, as part of his Resetting Ghana tour of the Volta Region.

He stated that Government and taxpayers were committing substantial resources to these projects because of the importance of good roads in transforming the economy and improving the lives of Ghanaians.

“Government and taxpayers are committing substantial resources to these projects because we recognise the importance of good roads in transforming the economy and improving the lives of our people,” he explained.

He added that Government committed more than GH¢13 billion to the Big Push programme last year, and allocated a further GH¢30.8 billion this year.

“This means that so far, government has committed more than GH¢40 billion towards repairing and improving the roads captured under the Big Push programme,” he noted.

President Mahama said work was currently ongoing simultaneously across the country on about 2,500 kilometres of roads, most of which were major highways connecting regional capitals and other important economic centres that had been left in a state of serious disrepair over the years.

He said the programme presented an opportunity not only to rehabilitate these roads but also to upgrade them to higher standards.

“This programme gives us the opportunity not only to rehabilitate these roads but also to upgrade them to higher standards that will make them stronger and ensure they serve the country for a longer period,” he said.

The President expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the projects, noting that many contractors were ahead of schedule.

He was confident that although the completion deadline for the roads was December 2027, it was possible that many of them would be completed much earlier than expected given the current pace of work.

“This means that motorists will soon enjoy smoother, safer and more comfortable journeys across the country,” he said.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD