CUTS International is welcoming the government’s Big Push infrastructure agenda, describing the planned expansion of Ghana’s road network as a critical step toward boosting economic growth, trade and connectivity.
But amid the commendation, the policy think tank warns that the drive to build new roads must not come at the expense of maintaining existing ones.
The call forms part of CUTS International‘s broader appeal for increased allocations to the Road Fund in the upcoming 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, as deteriorating roads across the country continue to impose costs on businesses, motorists and commuters.
According to the organization, while new road construction is essential for national development, neglecting existing roads could undermine the very benefits that new infrastructure is intended to deliver. Many roads have deteriorated significantly following recent heavy rains, creating safety risks, increasing vehicle maintenance costs and slowing economic activity.
CUTS argues that a functional transport system depends on both newly constructed roads and older roads being kept in good condition. Allowing existing roads to deteriorate while investing heavily in new projects would weaken the overall network and lead to even higher maintenance and rehabilitation costs in the future.
“As government pursues its Big Push in road construction, we must remember that a road network is only as strong as its weakest link. New roads are important, but existing roads must also be protected. We cannot build new roads with one hand and allow older roads to collapse with the other,” said Appiah Kusi Adomako, Director of the West Africa Regional Centre of CUTS International.
The think tank maintains that protecting existing road assets is one of the most cost-effective ways to preserve public investment and improve mobility. It is therefore urging government to use the Mid-Year Budget Review to boost funding for road maintenance, drainage improvements and emergency repairs alongside ongoing road expansion projects.
For the consumer protection advocacy group, the challenge is not choosing between new roads and old roads. The real priority is ensuring that Ghana’s entire road network remains reliable, safe and capable of supporting the country’s long-term economic ambitions.
