President John Dramani Mahama says the government is preparing second and third phases of its Big Push infrastructure programme to accommodate more roads that were not included in the first phase.
The President gave the assurance during an inspection of ongoing road works along the Navrongo–Chuchuliga–Tumu corridor in the Upper East Region as part of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour.
“We are already scoping a second phase of the Big Push,” President Mahama said.
He acknowledged concerns from communities whose roads were not selected under the first phase, saying the current projects represent only the beginning of the government’s broader road infrastructure programme.
“We are going to have a second phase and even a third phase of the Big Push,” he said.
“By the time we complete the entire Big Push programme in five years, I am sure everybody will be satisfied and everybody’s road will have been captured.”
President Mahama said the government’s broader objective is to improve major roads across the country and establish reliable road connections between regional capitals.
He described the road corridor linking the Upper East and Upper West regions through Tumu as critical to improving connectivity, particularly for motorists travelling between Bolgatanga and Wa.
According to the President, the wider stretch through Chuchuliga and Tumu towards Wa has been divided into lots and awarded to different contractors, with the section he inspected being undertaken by MyTurn Construction.
President Mahama recalled that the sod was cut for the project in 2016 but work stalled after his administration left office.
“I am therefore happy to have come back here, and this time the project is being implemented under the Big Push programme,” he said.
He explained that projects captured under the Big Push are treated as priorities and receive annual budgetary allocations to ensure contractors are paid for work completed.
“As soon as certificates are presented, payment is guaranteed within 30 days. Contractors receive their money and can return to work,” he said.
President Mahama commended MyTurn Construction for the progress of work and urged the contractor to maintain the schedule.
“The engineers have assured us that the work is on schedule, and so we hope that you will maintain the schedule so that by next year we can return to commission this road,” he said.
He added that contractors who deliver quality work on schedule could be considered for additional projects under subsequent phases of the programme.
The President also commended the current management of MyTurn Construction following the death of the company’s founder, noting that the company is now being managed by his sister.
“It is one of the few companies being managed by a woman, and we are very happy to encourage her to continue doing good work,” he said.
President Mahama expressed hope that the wider road corridor connecting the Upper East Region to Wa would be completed by 2028.
“It is my hope that by 2028, the entire stretch from here to Wa will have been completed,” he said.
He said completing the corridor would improve travel between the Upper East and Upper West regions while forming part of the government’s broader plan to improve connectivity between regional capitals.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bolgatanga
