"Halfway to Completion: Minister Kwame Agbodza Reports 50% Milestone for 'Big Push' Road Projects"

In a significant update on the government’s flagship infrastructure agenda, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has revealed that several major trunk road projects under the "Big Push" programme have officially crossed the 50% completion mark.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, the Minister—who also serves as the MP for Adaklu—noted that the accelerated pace is a result of round-the-clock work schedules and a strategic decision to break larger projects into smaller, more manageable "lots."

The "Spine" of the Nation
Minister Agbodza emphasized that the first phase of the Big Push is laser-focused on trunk roads, which he described as the "spine" of Ghana's economy. These roads are critical for connecting regional capitals back to the national capital, Accra.

Key Corridors with Noted Progress:

Western Corridor: Stretching from Takoradi through Wenchi to Wa.

Eastern Corridor: The vital link from Tema through Hohoe to Jasikan and beyond.

Central Corridor: The high-traffic route from Accra through Kumasi to Tamale.

24/7 Construction & "On-Site Innovation"
Addressing the unprecedented speed of construction, Agbodza attributed the success to a shift in contractor culture. Many sites are now operating on three-shift, 24/7 schedules.

"Instead of closing for lunch and letting people leave the site, contractors are hiring local 'choba' (food vendors) to cook on-site," Agbodza explained. "This keeps the momentum going and ensures that every hour of the day is utilized."

Peer Pressure Among Contractors
The Minister further revealed that by splitting 12 major economic corridors into 54 smaller lots (roughly 25 to 30 kilometres each), the government has created a healthy sense of competition.

"It generates peer pressure. When a contractor sees their colleague running ahead of schedule on the next lot, they are motivated to work harder," he said.

Results on the Ground: STC and VIP Return to Hohoe
The impact is already being felt by transport operators. Agbodza cited the Hohoe stretch as a prime example of the turnaround. Due to the significant improvements, major transport companies like STC and VIP have officially resumed services to Hohoe—a route many had abandoned for years due to its "death trap" status.

Addressing the Cost and Concerns
Despite the progress, the road hasn't been without its bumps. The Minister addressed ongoing concerns regarding sole-sourcing, explaining that it is sometimes necessary to novate existing contracts inherited from the previous administration to ensure continuity and avoid legal delays. He confirmed that 23 inherited projects, worth approximately GH₵14.8 billion, have been absorbed into the Big Push to ensure they are finally completed.

As of today, the government maintains that if this pace continues, several major corridors will be transformed into first-class asphalt roads by the end of 2026.