President John Dramani Mahama has announced that more than 2,500 direct jobs will be created under the ongoing road construction works launched in the Upper West Region as part of the government’s Big Push Infrastructure Programme.
Speaking at a ceremony in Wa, President Mahama said the initiative is part of a broader national development strategy aimed at ensuring fairness and balanced growth across all regions.
“Every Ghanaian, whether in Wa or Accra, Kumasi or Navrongo, deserves the same dignity of access. Infrastructure is not a privilege. It is a right,” he stated.
Road Expansion and Upgrades Underway
Under the programme, over 260 kilometers of strategic roads in the Upper West Region are set to be constructed and rehabilitated. These include:
The dualization of the Wa to UDS City Centre corridor
Major upgrades on the Wa–Tumu–Navrongo transport route
Bridge and drainage construction to ensure year-round accessibility
To ensure efficiency, the project has been divided into lots, allowing multiple contractors to work simultaneously.
“We have arranged the construction so that no single contractor is holding an entire stretch. If one contractor delays, it becomes clear to everyone,” President Mahama explained.
“We are expecting completion within 24 months, but many of the contractors have assured us they will finish earlier.”
Boost to Local Employment and Economy
The President noted that beyond direct jobs for engineers, machine operators and technicians, the projects are expected to generate over 7,000 indirect jobs for suppliers, food vendors, fuel dealers and local service providers.
“When government builds, the economic benefits must stay within our communities,” he said.
“We are prioritizing local content so that every cedi circulates here to support local enterprise.”
Support for Farmers
President Mahama also reaffirmed plans to establish Farmer Service Centers in major food-producing zones, equipped with tractors, combined harvesters and farm implements.
“We have identified 50 sites for these centers. The Finance Minister has already made provision for the first 11 in next year’s budget,” he announced.
He added that government will expand irrigation facilities to support all-year farming.
“We want to move away from one-season farming to continuous production.
Harvest today, plant tomorrow. That is the future we are building,” he said.
Call for Public Cooperation
The President urged residents and local authorities to support contractors and protect project materials.
“These roads belong to you, your children and your grandchildren. Let us all ensure the work is done well,” he appealed.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
