President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate payment of nearly 78 million dollars to the contractor working on the Takoradi–Agona–Nkwanta road, following an inspection of the project during his one-day working visit to the Western Region.
The directive is aimed at accelerating construction on the road, which forms a crucial segment of the trans–West African corridor linking Lagos to Abidjan. The President said the visit was intended to assess progress on what he described as an important national and regional transport corridor.
He noted that the road carries significant volumes of international and domestic traffic and plays a vital role in connecting Ghana to neighbouring West African economies. According to him, the corridor is also central to the movement of goods within Ghana, particularly from the Western Region, which is endowed with mineral and natural resources.
President Mahama pointed out that commodities such as manganese and other mineral products depend heavily on the road network in the region for transportation.
He stressed that improving the condition of the Takoradi–Agona–Nkwanta road would enhance efficiency, reduce travel time, and support economic activity along the corridor. He added that the road’s strategic importance made its timely completion a priority for his administration.
Promised Kept
Recalling earlier interactions with the contractor, JUSTMOCH Construction, President Mahama said concerns about non-payment had been brought to his attention during the sod-cutting ceremony for the Cape Coast–Takoradi dualization project.
He explained that the contractor, one of Ghana’s well-known indigenous road construction firms, had complained that despite being awarded the Takoradi–Agona–Nkwanta contract in 2024, no payments had been made. “Since he was given the job in 2024, he’s not been paid one pesewa,” the President said, noting that the situation had constrained the contractor’s financial capacity to work at full scale.
He said he had promised at the time to investigate the matter and ensure it was resolved. In fulfilment of that promise, President Mahama disclosed that he had last week instructed the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to settle all outstanding certificates owed to the contractor.
The total amount, he said, was almost 78 million dollars. “You’re going to be paid all your certificates so that you can continue and finish the project ahead of schedule,” he told the contractor.
The President expressed confidence in the contractor’s ability to deliver the project earlier than planned, citing the current pace of work. He said early completion would open up the corridor fully and allow Ghana to maximise the economic benefits associated with improved connectivity, trade, and transportation efficiency.
Commitment to Big Push Projects
President Mahama also used the occasion to reiterate his government’s broader commitment to infrastructure continuity. He said his administration had resolved to continue all viable projects inherited from the previous government, rather than abandoning them.
According to him, contractors working on projects awarded before his government took office had been asked to remain on site and continue their work, with assurances that payments would be made.
He explained that while some inherited projects had encountered funding challenges, particularly those without clearly defined sources of financing, his government had taken steps to address the issue through the Big Push infrastructure programme.
Under this approach, selected strategic projects were repackaged and placed under the Big Push to enable faster access to funding and smoother implementation. The Takoradi–Agona–Nkwanta road, he said, was one such project that had now been brought under the programme.
With the project now part of the Big Push, President Mahama assured the contractor that payments would be streamlined and delays minimised, allowing work to proceed without disruption. He added that several other projects under the Big Push were progressing steadily, with contractors actively working on their sites across the country.
The President noted that the Big Push programme generally operates within a 24-month implementation window. He said some contractors had indicated they could complete their projects even earlier.
While acknowledging that the scale of construction activity across the country might cause temporary inconvenience, he appealed to the public for patience. He said Ghanaians would begin to see the benefits of the programme once the projects were completed.
Resumption of Stalled Projects
President Mahama also addressed concerns about other major infrastructure projects that had stalled in recent years. He mentioned projects such as the Takoradi Interchange, the Nungua Interchange, and market redevelopment initiatives including the Takoradi Market Circle and the Kejetia Market.
According to him, many of these projects were halted due to the country’s debt exchange programme, which disrupted funding arrangements. He indicated that efforts were being made to address these challenges, with the majority of these projects having been resumed and are progressing steadily.
The inspection of the Takoradi–Agona–Nkwanta road formed part of President Mahama’s engagement with ongoing development initiatives in the Western Region. He said the government’s approach was focused on ensuring value for money, completing strategic projects, and using infrastructure development as a tool for economic growth and regional integration.
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