President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Finance to immediately settle all outstanding payment certificates owed to contractor working on the Takoradi–Agona–Nkwanta road project, amounting to nearly $78 million, to enable work to continue and be completed ahead of schedule.
Speaking during an inspection of the major road corridor, President Mahama disclosed that JUSTMOH Construction, one of Ghana’s leading road contractors awarded the project in 2024, had not received any payment since work began.
“The contractor came and lamented that since he was given the job in 2024, he has not been paid one pesewa. It is affecting his financial ability to continue,” the President said.
He explained that the road serves both local and international traffic, particularly due to the Western Region’s rich natural resources.
“A lot of international traffic comes through here, including local traffic. Everybody knows that because of the Western Region and its natural resources, manganese and other minerals, wealth passes through this corridor,” he noted.
President Mahama said he immediately intervened after the complaint. “Last week, I directed the finance minister. The finance minister is going to pay you all your outstanding certificates. It amounts to almost $78 million,” he stated.
He assured the contractor that full payment would be made to allow the project to resume smoothly and be completed ahead of schedule.
“You’re going to be paid all your certificates so that you can continue and finish the project ahead of schedule. I know you can complete it ahead of schedule,” he said.
According to the President, completing the road will open up the corridor and bring significant economic benefits to the country. “Once you complete it, it will open up the corridor so that it can be an advantage to Ghana,” he added.
President Mahama reiterated his government’s commitment to continuing all viable projects inherited from the previous administration.
“We met this road and, as I promised, we said we will continue all projects that we inherited from the previous government,” he said.
Touching on broader infrastructure delivery, the President said all contractors working on inherited projects are being paid to ensure continuity.
“All the contractors who were working on projects awarded by the previous government, we are paying them so that they will continue those works,” he stated.
He explained that several inherited projects have been repackaged under the government’s Big Push programme to fast-track financing and execution.
“We took some of the projects that were awarded by the previous government and put them under the Big Push so that their financing will be fast-tracked and they’ll be able to complete them properly,” he said.
President Mahama disclosed that projects under the Big Push have a 24-month completion window, with some contractors already assuring government they will finish earlier.
“All projects under the Big Push are moving. The contractors are on site. Ghana is becoming a construction site,” he said, appealing to the public for patience.
“After 24 months, we’ll all see the benefits,” he added.
The President also addressed stalled Sinohydro-funded projects, including the Takoradi Interchange, Nungua Interchange, Kejetia Market, Takoradi Market Circle, Effia-Nkwanta Hospital, and the Regional Hospital in Ahanta, which were halted due to the debt exchange programme.
He revealed that contractors remained on site despite the financial challenges and that Parliament has now approved additional payments beyond the original loan amounts.
“The finance minister needed to go to Parliament to get authorisation to pay the extra monies incurred. Yesterday, Parliament approved it,” he said.
According to President Mahama, payments will begin after January, allowing contractors to return fully to site. “Kejatia Market, Effia-Nkwanta Hospital, Regional Hospital in Ahanta, Takoradi Interchange, Nungua Interchange, all of them, work will start again,” he assured.
“We need to finish these projects so that we can take advantage of the economic benefits they will bring,” the President stressed.
President Mahama commended JUSTMOH Construction for its efforts despite the challenges and pledged to return to commission the road upon completion. “Jasmo, thank you very much. Good job done. I’ll come back after a few months to commission the road,” he said.
