President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that work on the government’s Big Push infrastructure projects, slowed by heavy rains in recent weeks, will accelerate soon as weather conditions improve.
According to the President, persistent rainfall across several parts of the country has affected construction activities on a number of road projects, forcing contractors to slow operations temporarily to ensure safety and maintain construction standards.
Mr. Mahama gave the assurance on Friday during an inspection tour of the Kafodzidzi road project as part of his working visit to the Central Region.
He explained that although work has slowed on some sites, government remains committed to completing the projects, stressing that funds earmarked for the programme have already been secured.
“The Big Push projects around the country have slowed down because of the heavy rainfall we’ve been experiencing recently. I’m sure that as soon as the rainfall subsides, work will continue because money for the Big-Push has been allocated and it is lying there. As soon as the rainfall subsides, we promise that it will be processed and you will get your money quickly.
“The contractors should speed up so that they can present their certificates and be paid so that they can go back to work. We want to deliver as many of these roads as possible. We are scoping Phase 2 of the Big-Push to start next year.
“For those whose roads have not been tackled yet, they could come under Phase 2. We will continue to improve the road network because we know that the main means of transport for passengers and goods in Ghana is the roads,” he said.
The President indicated that government is already considering a second phase of the Big Push initiative, which is expected to commence next year and extend road infrastructure projects to additional communities yet to benefit from the current phase.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to improving road connectivity across the country, describing the road network as the backbone of passenger movement and the transportation of goods.
Beyond infrastructure, President Mahama also pledged increased government support for the preservation of Ghana’s heritage sites, assuring that adequate budgetary allocations would be made in the next national budget to protect important historical landmarks.
The assurance comes amid concerns over possible sanctions from UNESCO, which has raised issues regarding encroachment and inadequate buffer zones around some of Ghana’s heritage sites.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, called on traditional authorities and local communities to support government efforts aimed at safeguarding the country’s historical and cultural assets.
She stressed that preserving heritage sites requires collaboration among government agencies, local leaders and residents to ensure that the sites remain protected for future generations.
