Big Push: Road contractors to receive timely payment – Agbodza

Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has assured road contractors across the country of timely payments under the government’s new infrastructure initiative, the Big Push Programme.

He gave the assurance when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament on Wednesday, where he outlined efforts by his ministry to clear arrears and streamline the payment system for contractors.

Speaking on the government’s plans to improve payment efficiency, Mr. Agbodza said the ministry is determined to end the long delays that have often burdened contractors. “We don’t intend to pay people in six months,” he emphasized. “Once the regime of payment improves, contractors don’t care whether there is a clause in there or not, and we are determined to use the Big Push as a template to start that.”

The minister explained that the government’s approach would not necessarily require contract clauses on payment timelines, as the focus is on ensuring actual prompt disbursements.

“Without having written that in the contract, we pay them within a reasonable time, then they can go ahead and remit them to the banks and financial institutions. Everybody will be happy, so we shouldn’t be too worried about our interests in delayed payment,” he said.

Mr. Agbodza commended Parliament for its role in facilitating funds for arrears clearance, noting that the ministry has made significant progress in settling outstanding debts owed to contractors.

“We want to thank Parliament for making allowance for some amount to be set aside for arrears clearance,” he said. “At the last check, I think we have paid almost GHC5 billion, and we will continue to do that.”

He stressed that road contractors play an essential role in Ghana’s infrastructure development and that prompt payments would empower them to deliver better-quality projects and enhance safety. “The Ghanaian contractor deserves to get his money back so that they can go back to their communities and make the roads safer for all of us,” he added.

Mr. Agbodza reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring confidence in the sector, saying the timely payment initiative would strengthen the partnership between the ministry and the construction industry, ensuring that ongoing and future road projects progress smoothly under the Big Push Programme.

The Big Push Programme is a government initiative aimed at accelerating Ghana’s infrastructure development through strategic investment in roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and energy projects.

The programme seeks to inject significant capital into the economy to stimulate job creation, enhance connectivity, and promote local participation in large-scale public works.

President John Dramani Mahama plans to invest US$10 billion over five years under the programme.

Additionally, he announced a budget allocation of about GH¢13.9 billion for 2025, with an extra GH¢30 billion to be added in 2026.