On September 16, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama climbed onto an excavator in Afienya and cut the sod for what government says is the largest road investment in Ghana’s history.
“Promise made, promise delivered,” he told the crowd at Dodowa-Afienya-Dawhenya”.
FROM 2020 IDEA TO 2025 EXECUTION
A baby is being born and that baby is a healthy, bouncing Big Push baby. It was conceived in 2020, but suffered a miscarriage when we lost the elections. In 2024, it was conceived again. And today we are delivering that bouncing baby.” – President Mahama
“Every region is going to benefit… first priority regional capitals, second district to district, third food-producing areas.”
THE SCALE/SCOPE OF WORK
Fifty (50) new projects covering (1,144km) costing (GH¢50bn) plus 23 inherited projects from the previous government covering (573km) costing (GH¢15bn). Nearly 2,000km under rehabilitation. According to government payment will be made within two weeks when certificates are raised by the contractors and that only contractors with real equipment will be engaged to do the job.
FLAGSHIP: 198.7km six-lane Accra-Kumasi Expressway (2.5hrs), Dambai Bridge, 3.6km Adawso-Ekye Amanfrom Bridge (longest in Ghana).
BENEFITS OF THE BIG PUSH TO GHANAIANS
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Cuts travel time and cost: Accra-Kumasi from 6hrs to 2.5hrs saves fuel and vehicle repairs.
Boosts farming: Roads like Tepa-Mabang-Goaso and Navrongo-Tumu will move food from farm to market, reducing post-harvest losses which is 30% today.
Creates 50,000+ direct jobs for masons, drivers, engineers and local food vendors at sites.
Attracts investors: Good roads bring factories to districts, not just Accra.
SOCIAL BENEFITS
Saves lives: Dualization of Cape Coast-Takoradi and Kasoa-Winneba will cut the many fatal accidents.
Better health & education: Ambulances and school buses can reach villages in Western North, Oti and Northern Belt.
Ends isolation: Dambai and Adawso bridges will end reliance on dangerous ferries that strand people for hours.
Reduces dust and sickness for communities along Afienya-Dawhenya and Ofankor-Nsawam.
NATIONAL BENEFITS
Fair distribution: Every region gets its share – from Enchi-Elubo in Western North to Gbintri-Nakpanduri in North East.
Connects Ghana: Tema-Aflao and Enchi-Elubo roads boost ECOWAS trade to Togo and Ivory Coast.
Value for money: Use of local contractors (e.g. Oswal Investment) keeps GH¢50bn in Ghana.
40km per constituency: 166 constituencies with worst roads each get 10km every year with proper drains.
READ ALSO: Guardians of Ghana’s Seas: The Government’s Fight to Protect Fish, Jobs and Food Security in Ghana
LIST OF 50 ROADS UNDER THE BIG PUSH
Greater Accra: Dodowa-Afienya-Dawhenya (27.8km), Oyibi-Appolonia-Afienya, Tema-Aflao Sec 1, Adenta-Dodowa (22km), Ofankor-Nsawam (33.4km)
Central: Winneba-Mankessim, Winneba-Cape Coast (49km), Cape Coast-Takoradi (25km), Mankessim-Ajumako-Agona Swedru (111km), Kasoa-Winneba (30km + 4 interchanges)
Volta / Oti: Anyirawasi-Ho-Tritrinu, Ho-Kpetoe, Kpetoe-Afiadenyigba, Afiadenyigba-Penyi-Aflao, Dodo Pepesu-Nkwanta
Eastern: Atimpoku-Asikuma, Asikuma-Anyirawasi, Akosombo-Gyakiti (32km), Asikuma-Anum Boso-Kpalime, Adomi-Akwamufie
Western / Western North: Enchi-Elubo, Dadieso-Akontombra, Enchi-Kudjouru-Pekyi, Sefwi Adabokrom, Takoradi-Agona
Ashanti / Bono / Ahafo: Wenchi-Sawla (195km), Techiman-Nkonsia-Wenchi, Sunyani Outer Ring (17km), Kumasi Outer Ring (45km), Kumasi Bypass + Suame Interchange
Northern Belt: Sawla-Wa, Bole-Chache, Wa-Han, Tumu-Hamile, Tumu-Han-Lawra, Navrongo-Tumu, Gbintri-Nakpanduri, Tamale Outer Ring (33km)
Bridges: Dambai Bridge, Adawso-Ekye Amanfrom (3.6km), Accra-Kumasi Expressway (198.7km)
THE VERDICT
No one can deny the need, yet, questions remain about financing, but unlike past sod-cuttings where contractors abandoned site, this time the money is ring-fenced and payment is in two weeks once the contractor raise his certificate. For the driver, the farmer, and the trader stuck in mud, the Big Push is hope – not just in a manifesto, but on the ground. If Phase one succeeds, it will be remembered as the moment Ghana stopped patching roads and started building a nation.
ERIC COBBINAH (Ph.D.)
Deputy Executive Director
Fisheries Commission
