President John Dramani Mahama is expected to break ground this year for the construction of the long anticipated Volivo Bridge, a landmark infrastructure project that promises to transform transport connectivity along Ghana’s Eastern Corridor.
The confirmation was given by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon Governs Kwame Agbodza, following high-level discussions with officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
“Good discussions on Volivo Bridge this morning with JICA led by Head of Africa Investment, Yushi Nagano. God willing, President Mahama will break ground this year for the construction of the Bridge itself. It will be the most impressive engineering piece on our landscape”.
Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon Governs Kwame Agbodza
According to the Roads Minister, preparations have advanced to a point where the government is optimistic about commencing physical works within the year. Subject to the final technical and financing arrangements,
President Mahama is expected to officially break ground for the bridge, marking a major milestone in the administration’s infrastructure agenda. The Volivo Bridge is a proposed 540 metre cable stayed bridge to be constructed over the Volta River at Volivo, linking the Greater Accra and Volta Regions.
It is strategically positioned along the Eastern Corridor road, a critical transport artery that connects southern Ghana to the northern parts of the country and facilitates trade with neighbouring states.
$10 Billion Infrastructure Drive
The project is a central component of President Mahama’s $10 billion dollar Big Push initiative, which seeks to accelerate large scale infrastructure development across the country. The Eastern Corridor road, long identified as a backbone for regional trade and economic integration, is expected to receive a major boost with the completion of the Volivo Bridge.
Government officials believe the bridge will help reduce travel time, improve road safety, and increase the movement of goods and people along the corridor. The project is also expected to unlock economic opportunities for communities along the route by improving access to markets, social services, and investment opportunities.
Japan’s renewed commitment to the project has been a critical factor in sustaining momentum. In mid 2025, the Government of Japan and JICA reaffirmed their readiness to support the construction of the bridge as part of their broader development cooperation with Ghana.
This commitment was again underscored in July 2025 when Miyazaki Katsura, Senior Executive Vice President of JICA, conveyed Japan’s keen interest in financing the Volivo Bridge during a courtesy call on President Mahama.
As of late 2025, the project remains at the planning and financing stage, with JICA in the process of dispatching a technical team to assess additional funding requirements.
While construction has not yet begun, government sources indicate that the target completion date is set for the end of 2028, provided implementation proceeds as scheduled.
A Modern and Multifunctional Approach to Infrastructure Development
The proposed bridge design reflects a modern and multifunctional approach to infrastructure development. Plans include an asphalted dual carriageway to ease vehicular traffic, pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes to promote safe and inclusive mobility, as well as a mini rest stop to serve commuters. Toll facilities are also expected to be incorporated to support maintenance and sustainability.
When completed, the Volivo Bridge is projected to become Ghana’s second longest bridge, after the Lower Volta Bridge at Sogakope. Beyond its size, the bridge is expected to stand out as one of the most sophisticated engineering structures in the country, combining functionality with aesthetic appeal.
Officials at the Ministry of Roads and Highways say the bridge will complement other ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at improving national connectivity and strengthening Ghana’s logistics network.
By easing congestion and improving reliability along the Eastern Corridor, the project is expected to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness as a regional trade hub. The Volivo Bridge also holds symbolic significance for the Mahama administration.
It represents a renewed emphasis on long term infrastructure planning and execution, particularly for projects that had remained on the drawing board for years due to funding and technical constraints.
Local leaders and transport operators along the Eastern Corridor are expected to welcome the renewed push for the bridge as a long-overdue intervention. The absence of a direct crossing at Volivo has, for decades, limited movement and increased costs for traders and commuters.
As expectations build toward the anticipated ground breaking, government officials insist that due diligence will guide every stage of implementation. Technical assessments, environmental considerations, and financing arrangements, they say, are being carefully aligned to ensure value for money and durability.
If delivered as planned, the Volivo Bridge is expected to leave a lasting imprint on Ghana’s transport infrastructure and serve as a cornerstone of the country’s broader development ambitions under the Big Push agenda.
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