By: Christian Kpesese
Ghana’s Parliament has approved the sum of GH¢5,378,458,359.00 billion in budgetary allocations for Ghana’s road sector, marking a significant advancement for Government’s flagship Big Push infrastructure programme aimed at accelerating nationwide road development.
The approval, which followed the presentation of the Roads and Transport Committee’s report on the 2026 budget estimates, paves the way for expanded construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance works on critical highways, feeder roads, and urban road networks.
Chairman of the committee, Isaac Adjei Mensah who presented the report said the allocation would support priority corridor upgrades, routine maintenance across all regions, and ongoing strategic projects that form part of the Big Push initiative Government’s multimodal infrastructure drive intended to unlock economic growth, facilitate access to markets, and improve transportation efficiency nationwide.
Debating the estimate, lawmakers noted the funding is a decisive step toward clearing longstanding road deficits, reducing transportation bottlenecks, and stimulating economic activity in both rural and urban communities. The MPs noted that the increased investment aligns with Government’s commitment to modernising the country’s infrastructure backbone as outlined in the 2026 Budget.
Sector minister, Kwame Governs Agbodza said government remained committed to continuing and expanding major road projects across the country, including key dual carriageway interventions as road projects will contribute significantly to job creation and stimulate local economic activities.
He assured the House of his commitment to advancing ongoing works, particularly the Accra–Winniba highway, which he said remained a priority.
Responding to concerns raised by some Members, Mr. Agbodza outlined what he described as the challenging state of affairs inherited by the government.
According to him, the ministry took over projects amounting to GH¢110 billion, with an additional GH¢24 billion worth of contracts awarded without commencement approval, and GH¢60 billion in outstanding unpaid certificates.
He said the ministry had since been working to stabilise the sector, citing payments made to contractors who had long been owed. Among these was the Ofankor Road contractor, who he disclosed had been owed GH¢800 million.
Mr. Agbodza also criticized what he described as poor contract management practices under the previous administration. He referenced a case involving a US$29 million payment to an Indian contractor who allegedly abandoned the Savelugu–Walewale road project.
He urged MPs to avoid politicizing road development and instead focus on supporting the ministry to complete strategic projects nationwide.
With the approval secured, the Roads and Highways Ministry is expected to push ahead with its planned interventions for the 2026 fiscal year.
The road sector has for many years suffered from stalled projects, delayed payments to contractors, and deteriorating networks.
Parliament expressed optimism that the new allocation will provide momentum for accelerated delivery and restore confidence among contractors and road users.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways is expected to outline disbursement schedules and implementation timelines in the coming weeks as project execution under the Big Push initiative begins to scale up ahead of the next fiscal year.
Day one of the estimates consideration saw Parliament approve budget allocations for the Health, Works and Housing, Gender, Children and Social Protection, and Transport ministries.
