Mahama: Big Push Road Projects Roll Out in Phases, Trunk Roads First
President John Dramani Mahama has laid out a clear, multi-phase roadmap for the government's flagship Big Push road infrastructure programme, urging Ghanaians to stay confident as strategic projects take shape across the country. Speaking during an inspection of the Wa-Han-Tumu-Navrongo road on the first day of his two-day tour of the Upper West Region, the President made it plain that while the demand for roads is everywhere, the delivery must be smart, sequenced, and sustainable.
“I want to assure our people that, although everyone wishes all their roads could be constructed at once, we simply cannot do that,” President Mahama said. He explained that the government is working within a clear budget framework, which is why the programme is being executed in deliberate phases. “There is a limit to the budget we have. That is why there is Big Push Phase One. We are already scoping Big Push Phase Two, and there will also be Big Push Phase Three,” he added.
Why trunk roads come first in the Big Push programme
The President was emphatic that the immediate priority is to complete major arterial and trunk roads, the very backbone of Ghana's transportation network. His reasoning is straightforward: a strong trunk network creates the foundation for connecting communities through feeder roads later. “As we move forward, we will progress from the trunk roads to the feeder roads that connect with the trunk road network,” he stated.
This phased approach is designed to ensure that motorists from different districts gain reliable access to the main highway network, boosting mobility, safety, and connectivity. It is a strategy built on long-term vision rather than short-term fixes, and it signals a government that is thinking in decades, not just election cycles.
Wa-Han-Tumu-Navrongo road: A major economic link on track for 2027
President Mahama expressed strong satisfaction with the progress of work on the Wa-Han-Tumu-Navrongo road, a critical economic artery connecting the Upper West and Upper East Regions. He was confident the project would be ready for commissioning next year. “The work is progressing well, and we will return next year to commission this road. I am confident that the quality of the road will be excellent,” he said.
In a significant boost for durability, the President disclosed that the road will receive an asphalt seal after the double surface dressing. “As the Minister said, after the double surface dressing, we will seal the entire road with asphalt from Wa to Bolgatanga,” he explained. This additional treatment is a clear commitment to value for money. “That will ensure the road lasts for at least the next 20 years and requires only minimal maintenance,” he added.
What this means for business and investment in northern Ghana
For entrepreneurs, farmers, and traders in the Upper West and Upper East Regions, this is more than just a road project. It is a promise of faster movement of goods, lower transport costs, and stronger links to markets in the south and beyond. The Wa-Han-Tumu-Navrongo road is a classic example of how infrastructure investment can unlock economic potential in regions that have long been underserved.
The Big Push programme, with its phased and transparent approach, is a signal to both local businesses and international investors that Ghana is serious about building the logistics backbone needed for sustained growth. By prioritising trunk roads first, the government is laying the groundwork for a more connected, more competitive, and more prosperous Ghana.
President Mahama's message is one of patience with a purpose. The road to development is being built, literally, one strategic phase at a time.