Government Clears All Outstanding Tema Motorway Arrears, Roads Minister Tells Parliament
The Ghanaian government has fully settled every outstanding payment owed to the contractor handling the Tema Motorway project, the Minister for Roads and Highways announced on the Floor of Parliament on Wednesday, removing what had been a persistent obstacle to progress on one of the country’s most strategically vital transport corridors.
Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza told lawmakers that as of Wednesday morning, the government owed nothing to the contractor working on the highway, which links Accra to the industrial port city of Tema and serves as a critical artery for goods movement, port operations, and regional trade extending toward Togo.
“Mr Speaker, on record, the Motorway contract is ongoing and as of this morning, we don’t owe the contractor any amount of money. All outstanding claims have been settled,” Mr Agbodza said.
The announcement marks a significant shift in the government’s approach to infrastructure financing. Unpaid claims have long been cited as one of the chief reasons contractors stall or slow work on public projects across Ghana, a pattern that has frustrated commuters and businesses alike. By clearing the arrears, the minister said, the government aims to remove the financial excuse for delays and press the contractor to accelerate delivery.
“We will endeavour to continue to encourage the contractors to work on this project to hurry up,” Mr Agbodza added.
The settlement follows earlier assurances from the Roads Minister that no outstanding debts remained on the Accra-Tema Motorway project, a claim that had faced scrutiny from sections of the public and opposition lawmakers. Wednesday’s statement appeared designed to put the matter firmly to rest with a categorical declaration on the parliamentary record.
The Tema Motorway is more than a commuter route. It underpins the logistical spine of Ghana’s economy, connecting the capital to Tema Port—the country’s largest seaport—and facilitating the movement of imports, exports, and transit cargo bound for landlocked neighbours. Congestion and deterioration on the corridor have long imposed economic costs, and the reconstruction project was intended to modernise the highway into a dual carriageway capable of handling growing traffic volumes.
Industry observers have noted that contractor payment delays remain a systemic challenge across Ghana’s public works sector. Projects routinely fall behind schedule not because of technical difficulties but because of funding gaps between government commitments and actual disbursements. The minister’s announcement signals a deliberate effort to break that cycle on at least this flagship project.
With arrears cleared, attention now turns to whether the contractor will translate the financial settlement into faster on-site progress. Commuters and businesses along the Accra-Tema corridor will be watching closely.
Image Source: GHANA BUSINESS NEWS
