Ofoase Ayirebi MP, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has raised concerns over the government’s budgetary allocation for infrastructural development under the ‘Big Push’ initiative, arguing that the designated funds are insufficient to drive meaningful progress.
Speaking at an NPP press conference this afternoon, Oppong Nkrumah emphasized that infrastructure investments play a crucial role in economic growth and job creation. However, he criticized the government for not committing enough resources to its own flagship infrastructure program.
“Infrastructure investments are known to be key if you want to open up, grow the economy, and create more jobs. Unfortunately, the government has not been able to give the necessary allocation for their own planned infrastructure program, ‘The Big Push’,” he stated.
“If the government is serious about its own initiative, the Big Push itself needs a push, or else nothing meaningful will happen in their infrastructure program,” he added.
His comments come in response to the government’s 2025 Budget Statement, presented on Tuesday by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. The minister announced a GH¢13.85 billion commitment to the Big Push Programme, emphasizing that it is aimed at accelerating national development through major infrastructure and educational investments.
Dr. Forson highlighted that the initiative seeks to fund large-scale infrastructure projects, including improvements to transportation networks and energy access, to drive long-term economic transformation. However, critics like Oppong Nkrumah argue that without a substantial increase in funding, the initiative may fall short of its objectives.