On September 16, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama climbed onto an excavator in Afienya and cut the sod for what the 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 are under rehabilitation. According to the government, payment will be made within two weeks when certificates are raised by the contractors, and 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, saving 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 stand at 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 reduce the many fatal accidents.
Better health & education: Ambulances and school buses can reach villages in Western North, Oti, and the 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 the worst roads each get 10km every year with proper drains.
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 sites, this time the money is ring‑fenced and payment is made within two weeks once the contractor raises 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
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