President John Dramani Mahama has indicated that the government is preparing for the full rollout of the second phase of the Big Push road infrastructure programme, describing ongoing work as part of a wider national effort to improve road connectivity across the country.

He made the remarks during the Sawla Demonstration event of the National BSTEM programme for primary and junior high schools. The engagement formed part of his ongoing Resetting Ghana Tour of the Savannah Region, which is his home region and a key focus area of his development outreach.

The President said the second phase of the programme is currently being re-scoped, with details expected to be formally announced when the Minister of Finance presents the national budget to Parliament in November.

Ongoing Works Under Phase One

President Mahama explained that the Big Push initiative is already underway, with significant road construction projects being executed across multiple parts of the country at the same time.

According to him, approximately 2,000 kilometres of roads are currently under construction nationwide under the first phase of the programme. He stressed that these projects are being financed entirely through domestic resources.

He stated that government is using Ghanaian currency to fund all ongoing road works, underscoring what he described as a deliberate effort to rely on internal financing rather than external borrowing for the current phase of infrastructure development.

He added that the scale of ongoing construction reflects a coordinated national approach aimed at improving transport infrastructure simultaneously across several regions rather than focusing on isolated projects.

Preparation for Phase Two of Big Push

President Mahama disclosed that the government is actively working on the design and scope of the second phase of the Big Push road projects. He said the next phase will build on the foundation of the first, with expanded coverage expected across additional communities and districts.

He noted that the official announcement of phase two will be made during the presentation of the 2026 national budget by the Finance Minister to Parliament in November.

That announcement, he indicated, will provide details on the specific roads and projects to be undertaken under the next phase. He assured residents in parts of the Savannah Region that their communities would benefit directly from the next phase of the programme.

He specifically mentioned Kongura and Kalbaura, indicating that their road networks have been captured under the upcoming phase of the Big Push initiative.

According to him, contractors are expected to be mobilised to site early next year once the budget is approved and implementation begins.

Commitment to Regional Infrastructure Development

The President’s remarks were made in the context of his broader engagement with communities during the Resetting Ghana Tour, which is aimed at assessing development needs and communicating government priorities directly to citizens.

In addressing residents, he emphasized that the government remains committed to improving road infrastructure as a key driver of economic development, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

He explained that better road networks are essential for improving access to markets, schools, and health facilities, as well as for supporting local economic activities in agriculture and trade.

The Savannah Region, where the engagement took place, has long faced infrastructure challenges, particularly in road connectivity between communities. The President’s assurance was therefore received in the context of long standing expectations for improved access routes.

Financing Approach and Policy Direction

A key aspect of the President’s statement was the emphasis on domestic financing for road projects. He reiterated that the ongoing works under the Big Push initiative are being funded using Ghana’s own resources.

This approach, he said, reflects the government’s intention to prioritise fiscal discipline while still pursuing large scale infrastructure development. He suggested that the use of domestic funding allows government to maintain control over project execution while reducing reliance on external debt obligations.

The upcoming budget presentation by the Finance Minister is expected to provide further clarity on the scope, cost, and timelines for the second phase of the Big Push programme.

With preparations already underway, the government has signalled that infrastructure development will remain a central component of its economic agenda into the next fiscal year.

The President’s remarks suggest that road construction will continue to be rolled out across multiple regions simultaneously, with communities such as Kongura and Kalbaura positioned to benefit in the next phase of implementation.

Once approved, the second phase is expected to move quickly into execution, with contractors anticipated to begin work early next year.