During President John Dramani Mahama’s high-profile inspection of the Jinijini-Sampa road, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza, delivered a resounding endorsement of the government’s flagship "Big Push Agenda." The Minister revealed that the infrastructure drive has already generated nearly half a million jobs across
the country, transforming the road sector from a "pathetic" state into a massive engine for employment.
Addressing the community and contractors, Mr. Agbodza emphasized that the "Big Push" is no longer just a policy on paper—it is a fully funded, job-creating reality.
1. 500,000 Jobs and Counting
The Minister provided a "last count" update on the employment impact of the infrastructure projects. By focusing on local supply chains, the government has integrated thousands of Ghanaians into the construction economy.
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Diverse Workforce: The 500,000 jobs include university-trained engineers and surveyors, as well as community-based carpenters, masons, and cooks.
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Corporate Scale: Some lead contractors on "Big Push" sites currently employ over 1,000 staff members each.
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The "Hire Local" Mandate: Mr. Agbodza issued a direct appeal to contractors to prioritize hiring from the immediate project communities to ensure that the wealth generated stays within the district.
2. Fixing the "Funding Gap": From Stalled to "Big Push"
A critical revelation during the tour was the history of the Jinijini-Sampa road. The Minister admitted that the project had previously stalled because there was "no known definite source of funding."
The Procurement Reset: | Phase | Status | Funding/Procurement | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Pre-2025 | Stalled/Terrible State | No definite funding; original contractor lacked mobilization. | | Current (Big Push) | Active (50% Complete) | Re-classified as a "Big Push" project with a dedicated, guaranteed funding source. | | Quality Standard | Asphalt Surfacing | Upgraded from bitumen to high-grade asphalt for international transit. |
3. The "Work-for-Pay" Guarantee
To reassure the private sector, Mr. Agbodza announced a major shift in how the government handles construction certificates. The "firefighting" era of delayed payments is being replaced by a "Real-Time Payment" system.
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Guaranteed Payment: The Minister stated that work certificates raised by the end of the month will be paid by that same month's end.
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Active Disbursement: "We started paying every Big Push work certificate yesterday," the Minister confirmed, removing any excuse for contractors to slow down or leave the site.
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Strict Oversight: A mechanism is in place to ensure "no contractor gets a cedi without working for it," maintaining a high standard of quality.
4. Salvaging the Cashew Economy
The Minister’s personal inspection of the route revealed the human cost of the previously "pathetic" road. He recounted seeing sacks of cashew stuck by the roadside because trucks were unable to navigate the terrain.
"People were actually investing and not getting their money back. How is the farmer going to get his investment back if trucks can't pass?" — Minister Governs Kwame Agbodza
The completion of the asphalt surfacing is expected to immediately lower transport costs for Bono’s cashew farmers, ensuring their investment finally yields profit.
The Bottom Line
The "Big Push" is proving to be more than just a road-building exercise; it is a "Livelihood Reset." By ensuring that every certificate is paid on time and every contractor hires locally, the government is attempting to build a self-sustaining economic ecosystem. With several projects already 50% complete and set for commissioning later this year, the Bono Region is on the verge of a transport revolution.
