Everyday life for traders, commuters, and businesses could soon get easier as Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson confirmed that GH¢13.8 billion from Ghana’s oil revenues and mineral royalties will be invested in road infrastructure under the government’s Big Push Programme.
Presenting the mid-year budget review to Parliament, Dr. Forson explained that better roads mean faster and safer travel, lower vehicle maintenance costs, and improved access to markets, health, and education for millions of Ghanaians.
Among the flagship projects:
- A new Oti River bridge at Dambai, connecting farming communities to markets, reducing transport costs for agricultural produce, and boosting incomes in the Oti Region.
- Dualisation of Winneba-Mankessim and Cape Coast-Takoradi roads, cutting travel time along Ghana’s bustling coastal corridor, making it cheaper to move goods between key markets, and encouraging new investments.
- Upgrades to Navrongo-Tumu and Tumu-Hamile roads, opening up northern trade routes and improving access to essential services.
- Construction of Kumasi Outer Ring Road (Eastern Quadrant) to decongest traffic in the Ashanti capital, allowing businesses to save time and money.
- Improved access roads near Adomi Bridge, enhancing tourism in the Eastern Region and creating more opportunities for local hospitality and service businesses.
Feasibility studies, Dr Forson noted were ongoing for larger projects like the Accra-Kumasi Expressway and Afram Plains bridge, aimed at transforming long-distance travel and stimulating regional growth.
The Finance Minister stressed that road improvements would reduce the cost of doing business nationwide, encourage investment, and create jobs, helping ordinary Ghanaians benefit more directly from the country’s natural resource wealth.
