President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for a massive road construction initiative in the Volta Region, marking a major step in the nationwide rollout of his government’s flagship Big Push Project.
The ceremony follows the official launch of the program in Afienya, Greater Accra, the same day, and signals what the President described as a deliberate effort to redress the long-standing neglect of the region’s road network.
The Volta Region, according to President Mahama, has received the largest share of projects under the Big Push. The roads earmarked for construction include the Atimpoku–Ho–Denu–Aflao road, which is being undertaken by First Sky Limited.
Other projects are the Afedji-Metrikasa road, Atiavi road, rehabilitation of Asikuma junction, the Asikuma–Anyrawasi-Ho-Titirini road, rehabilitation of Ho-Kpotoe-Afienyayideba, and the Ziope township roads.
Additional works will cover the upgrading of the Adaklu-Tafrewaya-Anyeme road, the Aboadi-Koadeape road, rehabilitation of the Sogode-Juapong road, dualisation of Dzodze roads, reconstruction of Have-Hohoe roads, as well as the construction of selected roads in Ho Municipality, Hohoe Municipality, and in Ketu North and South
Addressing the gathering, President Mahama expressed his deep concern over what he described as years of neglect of the Volta Region’s road infrastructure, particularly under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
He recalled that many projects that were ongoing in 2016 under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were abandoned after the change of government. This, he said, worsened the already dire state of roads in the region and undermined economic activities for communities that depend heavily on transport connectivity.
“For me, this is the reason the Volta Region has been given the greatest share of the Big Push Project,” President Mahama explained. He revealed that he had issued a directive to the Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza, himself a native of the region, to ensure the people of Volta benefit fully from quality road infrastructure.
Big Push as Central Pillar of Reset Agenda
The President emphasized that the Big Push Project is not a symbolic initiative but one of the central pillars of his administration’s development agenda. He recounted the detailed planning and frequent follow-ups he has made with the Roads and Highways Ministry to track the progress of project designs, budgeting, and implementation timelines.
Drawing on his long political career, President Mahama noted that his extensive tours across the country have given him firsthand knowledge of the most deplorable roads in Ghana, which informed the priority areas under the program.
Funding, according to the President, has already been secured to guarantee the smooth execution of the projects. He announced that the 2025 budget has allocated GHS 13.9 billion for the Big Push, while an additional GHS 30 billion has been earmarked in the 2026 budget.
These allocations, he stressed, will ensure contractors receive timely payment for work done, a challenge that has historically slowed infrastructure delivery.
Presidential Monitoring Team
To strengthen oversight and ensure the quality of work, President Mahama also disclosed that a special secretariat will be established at the Office of the President. The unit, to be staffed with engineers and other construction experts, will be tasked with monitoring the execution of all Big Push projects.
This measure, he said, is aimed at minimizing delays, ensuring adherence to standards, and ultimately delivering value for money.
The President further urged contractors working on the projects to prioritize the employment of Ghanaian graduates, particularly engineers and other professionals. He argued that this would not only create jobs but also provide young graduates with valuable hands-on experience.
At the same time, he appealed to the public to exercise patience during the construction period, noting that the scale of the works would inevitably cause some inconvenience to motorists and commuters.
“Every major road project comes with temporary discomfort, but we must look beyond the short-term and focus on the long-term benefits,” President Mahama said. He assured the people of the Volta Region and Ghanaians at large that his administration is determined to transform the country’s transport infrastructure into a reliable backbone for national development.
The Big Push Project is part of the NDC’s broader 2024 manifesto commitments to expand infrastructure, accelerate industrial growth, and enhance access to social services. By focusing on critical roads across all regions, the government hopes to improve mobility, reduce travel time, and open up rural and urban areas alike for trade and investment.
Ke Benefits
In the Volta Region, the President stressed, the economic benefits will be immediate and far-reaching. Roads connecting farming areas to markets will be upgraded, enhancing the livelihoods of farmers and agro-based industries.
Towns such as Hohoe, Dzodze, and Sogode will benefit from better access routes that could reduce transportation costs and increase commercial activity. The long-neglected border routes like the Ho–Denu–Aflao stretch will also boost trade within the ECOWAS sub-region once completed.
President Mahama’s message was one of commitment and urgency. He acknowledged that the people of Volta, like many other Ghanaians, had grown frustrated with decades of broken promises in the road sector.
However, he insisted that the Big Push is different, backed by secured funding, strong political will, and an implementation mechanism designed to deliver results.
For residents of Volta, the sod-cutting was more than a ceremonial event; it was a long-awaited sign of hope that their roads—long characterized by potholes, dust, and delays—may finally be fixed.
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