President John Dramani Mahama has credited his first administration with laying the foundation for the emergence and growth of strong Ghanaian road construction companies, arguing that deliberate policy choices during his initial term in office transformed a sector that had been dominated by foreign firms.
Speaking at the First Sky Group end of year Thanksgiving Service, President Mahama reflected on the state of the construction industry when he first assumed office and the conscious decisions his government took to prioritise local capacity.
He said that at the time, most major road and infrastructure projects, including those funded entirely by Ghanaian taxpayers, were being executed by foreign companies. According to him, the situation raised serious concerns about value retention, skills transfer, and long term national development.
He explained that while foreign contractors had a role to play, especially when projects were financed by external partners who preferred their own firms, it was unacceptable for domestically funded projects to exclude capable Ghanaian companies.
“One of the things that happened when I became president was that I realised most of the construction projects were being handled by foreign contractors. Even projects financed with our own budget were going to companies from outside Ghana. I felt that could not continue.”
HE John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana
The President said he immediately engaged the then Minister for Roads and Highways and issued a clear directive. Projects funded by the Government of Ghana, he insisted, should be awarded to Ghanaian contractors, provided they had the capacity to deliver.
This, he noted, was not a sentimental decision but a strategic one aimed at building national competence. President Mahama acknowledged that at the time, the capacity gap between local and foreign firms was real, particularly in specialised areas such as asphalt production and large scale road works.
He recalled that when his administration began, only six Ghanaian companies had asphalt plants, limiting the scope of projects local firms could undertake. To address this, his government pursued a deliberate strategy to grow local construction capacity.
This included targeted support, policy protection, and a steady pipeline of projects that allowed Ghanaian firms to invest, expand, and acquire the skills and equipment needed to compete at the highest level.
“By the time I left office, we had moved from six to twenty two Ghanaian construction companies with the same level of skill and competence as any foreign firm. That is something I remain very proud of.”
HE John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana
First Sky Group’s Selection
President Mahama cited First Sky Group as one of the companies that benefitted from this policy direction and went on to demonstrate the value of empowering local firms.
He recalled interactions with communities in the Volta Region during sod cutting ceremonies for major road projects, where he assured residents that the selection of First Sky as contractor meant they could expect quality work delivered on time.
Beyond road construction, Mahama praised First Sky for diversifying into other sectors of the economy, describing it as evidence of the broader impact of nurturing indigenous enterprises. He said local companies that grow strong in one sector often reinvest in others, multiplying their contribution to national development.
He noted that while many Ghanaians still associate First Sky primarily with construction, the company’s expansion into commodities and hospitality demonstrated the economic ripple effects of strong local businesses.
President Mahama said he was encouraged by learning more about the company’s role in managing the Atlantic Hotel, expressing confidence that Ghanaian management would elevate standards and performance.
President Mahama said the lessons from his first administration continue to inform his approach to governance and economic policy. He stressed that building local capacity requires patience, consistency, and trust in Ghanaian expertise, even when challenges arise.
He also used the occasion to encourage local contractors to uphold high standards of professionalism, efficiency, and accountability, noting that public confidence in indigenous firms depends on their ability to deliver results.
As Ghana continues to pursue ambitious infrastructure programmes, including the Big Push initiative, President Mahama’s reflections serve as a reminder of the long term value of policies that prioritise local participation.
By empowering Ghanaian contractors, he argued, the country not only builds roads but also builds skills, businesses, and a more resilient economy with it varying benefits to the country and its citizens.
The President concluded by thanking First Sky Group for its contribution to national development and urged other local companies to see themselves as partners in Ghana’s progress.
He said the success of Ghanaian contractors stands as proof that with the right support and opportunity, local enterprises can match and even surpass their foreign counterparts.
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