The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has provided fresh details on the government’s flagship “Big Push” infrastructure programme, outlining its scope, funding structure, and implementation strategy.
He explained that several previously stalled road projects, including those at Ofankor and Kasoa-Winneba, have been incorporated into the initiative to accelerate their completion.
“Those projects have now been absorbed into the Big Push because they lacked dedicated funding,” he noted.
Providing a financial breakdown, the Minister disclosed that the cost of ongoing projects under the programme is estimated at nearly GH¢15 billion. He added that newly initiated projects are projected to cost about GH¢55 billion, while previously existing contracts that have been restructured account for an additional GH¢14 billion.
Mr Agbodza emphasised that the projects are distributed across the country, with some divided into multiple segments to enhance efficiency and reduce risk.
He cited the Tamale Ring Road as an example, explaining that although it is a single project, it has been split into three separate lots being handled by different contractors.
According to him, this approach ensures better project management and continuity. “If a single contractor is responsible for the entire project and fails, it affects everything. But when projects are divided, any underperformance can be quickly identified and addressed, with another contractor stepping in, if necessary,” he explained.
On the total number of contracts, the Minister indicated that the programme comprises 54 new projects alongside 23 existing ones that have been reassigned, bringing the total to multiple contracts, with some contractors handling more than one segment.
He also addressed public misconceptions surrounding the initiative, noting that not all ongoing road projects fall under the “Big Push” label.
“People are beginning to assume that every road project is part of the Big Push, but that is not the case,” he clarified.
He stressed that the designation applies strictly to priority projects identified for accelerated completion, while other road developments remain equally important but will be delivered in phases.
“Specifically, 54 projects constitute the new Big Push, while 23 are existing projects that have been restructured,” he concluded.
