Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways, has cooked the NPP minority caucus in parliament over their presentation of supposed shortcomings in the government’s Big Push Agenda.
Hon Agbodza expressed frustration with the minority of their constant criticism and opposition to the initiative, despite the government’s renewed commitment and significant efforts to complete stalled projects started under the Akufo-Addo Bawumia administration.
Speaking on the floor of parliament, Governs Kwame Agbodza stated, “What is your problem? We said we are completing and expanding roads, what is wrong with that? Let’s come to Accra. I agree that the exit and entry points are very bad.
The Ofankor road, as of the time you were leaving office, the contractor had raised a certificate of about $77 million you didn’t pay him you left. Now people are doing a demonstration just this week, we paid that contractor about GHC300 million so that he can continue the work”.
He added, Why are you recommending us for that? We are saying that since we do not have a dedicated fund, we are putting that project as an additional burden on the big push, and you don’t like it?
Go Kasoa Winneba, of course, the money has run out, the worst that will happen is that the contractor will leave the site. President Mahama does not want any of those projects to be abandoned. He said, carry it on additionally, Big Push Project, you don’t like that? What are you talking about here?”
The road minister further recounted when he told the former road minister that DHM, which was awarded the motorway to Central University, were not a construction firm but a management firm.
He added, “I heard you talking about the motorway to Central University. Hon former minister, you and I know that when you came to this house to give that contract to DHM, I suggested here that DHM was not a construction firm, was a management firm. It was only last year that the company bought a construction firm, which is why they were struggling to do the road.
“Phase one is what they are struggling to do; phase two is not even an NPP-initiated project. It is not under contract, and we are carrying it on as a Big Push project. You should understand these things”.
Kwame Agbodza further emphasised that the John Mahama-led NDC government are not playing It is not politics with road projects.
“I agree with you, you did your best, but the contractor was not listening to you because maybe you are afraid of them. I say if you are a contractor, Ghanaian or foreign, if you breach our laws, we will deal with you”, he added.
The road minister further clarified that the Big Push project is not only about a road project, but also a special vehicle to address the interconnectivity.
Agbodza added, “Big push is not only the road project that we are doing, I want to say this to all our compatriots around the country, big push is a special vehicle to address the interconnectivity of our regions to our National capital.
Meanwhile, Governs Kwame Agbodza has revealed government will sign 31 major road contracts by the end of August 2025.
The roads minister revealed that the road contract will have strict timelines and penalties in place to prevent delays.
According to the road minister commencement certificate has been obtained for all the projects.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Agbodza added, “The commencement certificate has been obtained, and we are now in the procurement process to get these contractors to the site. The contract is two years, that is, 24 months from start to finish and handing over”.
“Unlike the past, we are writing into the contract that if you delay for three months without any justification, we will terminate the work immediately without further notice. In the contract, they are going to work 24/7, so you are not compelled to take these projects if you have issues with them,” he stated.
Watch the video below:
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Governs Kwame Agbodza clashed with members of the minority caucus in parliament over their presentation of supposed shortcomings in the government’s big push agenda.
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) July 31, 2025
He expressed frustration with their constant criticism and opposition… pic.twitter.com/2NZ0xB0IQH