In a move aimed at accelerating Ghana’s infrastructure development, President John Mahama has unveiled the ‘Big Push’ initiative, promising contractors timely payments and outlining ambitious plans for a new expressway connecting Accra and Kumasi. The announcement, made during his Thank You Tour in the Upper West Region, signals a renewed focus on eliminating bottlenecks in project execution and boosting economic growth through improved transportation networks. The success of the ‘Big Push’ hinges on ensuring that funds are available for infrastructure projects, including the Accra-Kumasi expressway.

At the heart of the ‘Big Push’ is a commitment to ensuring contractors are paid promptly for their work. President Mahama has assured that all contractors participating in the program will receive payment within two weeks of submitting their payment certificates. “No contractor will have the excuse that he has not been paid,” he stated, underscoring the government’s determination to eliminate payment delays that have historically hampered infrastructure projects. This commitment is backed by a significant financial allocation, with 14 billion Ghana cedis earmarked for the ‘Big Push’ initiative this year.

The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has reinforced this commitment by guaranteeing 15% mobilization payments to contractors, enabling them to commence projects without delay. This proactive measure aims to address a common challenge faced by contractors, ensuring they have the necessary resources to begin work immediately. Certificates will be processed and paid within two weeks, preventing the accumulation of arrears and maintaining project momentum. The Accra-Kumasi expressway is a key component of this infrastructure drive.

A centerpiece of the ‘Big Push’ is the planned Accra-Kumasi expressway, a project designed to dramatically reduce travel time between Ghana’s capital and its second-largest city. President Mahama announced that cabinet is poised to approve priority road projects under the initiative, with the expressway taking center stage. “We’re also designing a new expressway between Accra and Kumasi,” he revealed, highlighting the project’s strategic importance. The goal is to slash travel time to just two and a half hours, transforming the journey and facilitating trade and commerce between the two major urban centers.

Beyond the Accra-Kumasi expressway, the ‘Big Push’ encompasses a range of other critical road projects. Plans are underway for the dualization of major highways, including the Accra-Takoradi and Accra-Aflao routes, addressing congestion and improving safety on these vital arteries. Rehabilitation works are also slated for major bridges across the country, including the Dambai Bridge, Ekye-Amanfrom Bridge, Buipe Bridge, Daboya Bridge, and Yapei Bridges, ensuring the structural integrity of these key transportation links. These improvements will bolster the transportation infrastructure essential for economic growth.

President Mahama envisions the ‘Big Push’ as a catalyst for rapid development, eliminating obstacles to project execution and driving economic activity across Ghana. The combination of prompt payments to contractors and strategic infrastructure improvements is expected to create a positive feedback loop, stimulating growth and improving the quality of life for Ghanaians. The focus on the Accra-Kumasi expressway and other key road projects demonstrates a commitment to building a modern, efficient transportation network that supports economic progress.

In summary, President Mahama’s announcement of assured payments and the ambitious Accra-Kumasi expressway plan represents a significant push to improve Ghana’s infrastructure. By prioritizing timely payments and critical road projects under the ‘Big Push’ initiative, the government seeks to accelerate economic growth and improve transportation across the nation, with significant attention on the Accra-Kumasi expressway and other vital infrastructure improvements.