The government has disbursed GH¢23.1 billion to road contractors as part of efforts to clear outstanding arrears and finance road projects under the Big Push infrastructure programme, Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Governs Agbodza has disclosed.
The minister made the disclosure on Friday, August 14, 2026, during President John Dramani Mahama’s inspection of the Navrongo–Chuchuliga–Tumu Road project in the Upper East Region.
The inspection formed part of President Mahama’s two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the region.
GH¢23.1 billion paid to contractors
According to Mr Agbodza, the total amount paid by the government as of the end of July includes payments to contractors working under the Big Push programme as well as the settlement of outstanding debts inherited from previous administrations.
The minister emphasised that a significant portion of the GH¢23.1 billion was used to settle arrears owed to contractors.
He said the payments demonstrate the government’s commitment to resolving the long-standing financial challenges that have affected road construction and caused several contractors to abandon project sites.
The development is particularly significant because the government had previously acknowledged inheriting substantial debts owed to road contractors. In July 2025, Mr Agbodza disclosed that about GH¢21 billion was owed to contractors under the Government of Ghana account at the time of the transition.
Government expects contractors to return to site
The Roads and Highways Minister said the payment of arrears is expected to facilitate the return of contractors to project sites across the country.
He indicated that several roads that have remained stalled or progressed slowly because of payment challenges would receive attention in the coming months.
According to Mr Agbodza, road projects across constituencies and districts are being reviewed, with the government working to address outstanding road infrastructure needs.
He expressed confidence that contractors would resume work on several projects as payments continue.
Focus on the Navrongo–Chuchuliga–Tumu road
The disclosure came during an inspection of the Navrongo–Chuchuliga–Tumu Road, a major road corridor linking the Upper East and Upper West regions.
The route connects Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital, with Wa, the Upper West Regional capital, through Navrongo, Chuchuliga and Tumu.
President Mahama has reiterated his government’s intention to improve connectivity between regional capitals while also extending road infrastructure development to major districts across the country.
The Navrongo–Chuchuliga–Tumu corridor is therefore considered strategically important for the movement of people, agricultural produce and goods between northern Ghana’s major communities.
Big Push programme drives road investment
The government’s Big Push infrastructure programme is a major component of its infrastructure agenda, with road development among its key priorities.
The Roads Minister said the government was not only working to complete inherited projects but was also undertaking new road projects.
He added that road infrastructure challenges in the Upper East Region were receiving attention, with several projects expected to progress as funding becomes available.
The government’s latest payment to contractors could help ease some of the financial pressures that have affected Ghana’s road construction sector and improve the pace of work on stalled projects.
What the GH¢23.1 billion payment means
The payment represents a significant financial commitment to Ghana’s road sector and could have wider economic implications.
Clearing contractors’ arrears can help contractors settle debts to suppliers, pay workers and mobilise equipment back to construction sites. In turn, resumed road projects could improve transportation, connectivity and economic activity in communities affected by poor road infrastructure.
The government is expected to continue settling verified arrears while providing funding for priority road projects under the Big Push programme.
