President John Dramani Mahama has expressed confidence that most road projects awarded under the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme will be completed by the end of 2027, allowing Ghanaians to begin experiencing the benefits of the initiative.
He made the remarks during an inspection of the ongoing construction of the Ntotroso Bridge, where he commended the Minister for Roads and Highways for ensuring that contractors work at the pace expected by the government.
“I am sure that by the time we get to the end of 2027, most of the contracts we awarded at the end of 2025 would have been completed, and Ghanaians will begin to see the benefits of the Big Push programme,” President Mahama said.
He praised the Roads Minister for keeping contractors on their toes, noting that the pace of work was helping to advance the government’s infrastructure agenda.
Mahama commends Newmont for partnership
The President also commended mining company Newmont for partnering with the government to support the Ntotroso Bridge project, describing the collaboration as an example of the partnerships needed to accelerate development in mining communities.
He called on large mining companies and other corporate organisations to collaborate with the government in financing infrastructure and undertaking corporate social responsibility initiatives that directly benefit communities where they operate.
“These are the kinds of collaborations we want to see. All these big mining companies and big corporate interests, we want you to partner with governments,” he said.
President Mahama proposed partnership arrangements, including a 50-50 funding model, to ensure that communities benefit tangibly from mining activities and corporate investments.
“We can do partnerships in funding 50-50 and do the corporate social responsibility in your area so that the people see that they are also benefiting from the mining or from the investments that you have put there,” he added.
He said the Ntotroso Bridge project was particularly important because it would improve transportation and stimulate economic activity in the surrounding communities.
Bridge to end years of difficult travel
President Mahama described the bridge as a critical piece of infrastructure that would remove a longstanding transportation barrier for residents and travellers moving between the Bono and Ahafo areas.
Recounting the difficulties commuters previously encountered, he said travellers heading from the former Brong Ahafo area towards Acherensua had to alight from their vehicles, remove their luggage and cross a dangerous wooden bridge before boarding another vehicle on the opposite side.
“As Nana Ntotrosohene said, if you were coming from Brong Ahafo to Acherensua and you got here, you had to get down, take your luggage out of the vehicle and cross a very treacherous wooden bridge over the water,” he said.
The President noted that the traditional ruler had recounted incidents in which people lost their lives after falling into the water while attempting to cross the bridge.
Travellers who wished to avoid the dangerous crossing had to use an alternative route through Kenyasi, adding approximately 40 kilometres to their journey.
President Mahama said the new bridge would significantly reduce travel time and distance, improve safety and ease the movement of people and goods between the two areas.
He described the project as a significant intervention that would address a challenge residents had endured for many years.
Bridge expected to open in November
The President disclosed that the bridge was expected to be opened to traffic in November 2026, even though the entire road project would not yet have been completed.
He said the government was keen to ensure that motorists and other road users could begin benefiting from the bridge as soon as it was ready for use.
“As the consultant told us, by November the bridge will be open. Even though the road project would not have been completed, at least the bridge will be open and people can begin to use it,” he stated.
President Mahama further indicated that the entire 48-kilometre road project was expected to be completed, asphalted and opened to traffic by September 2027.
He assured residents that he would return to the area with the Ntotrosohene to officially commission the completed road.
“By September next year, we expect that the whole 48 kilometres would have been done and asphalted and open to traffic,” he said.
“When it is ready, in September, we will come with Nana Ntotroso and officially commission the road.”
The Ntotroso Bridge project forms part of the government’s broader infrastructure drive under the Big Push programme, which seeks to accelerate road construction, improve connectivity and support economic development across the country.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
