Road construction to intensify nationwide this year – Agbodza

Road construction activities will significantly intensify in 2026, Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Agbodza says, as the government moves to deliver President John Dramani Mahama’s infrastructure pledge.

The minister said the scale-up follows clear policy direction from President Mahama and firm budgetary backing to modernise Ghana’s road network across all regions.

“The President has committed to Ghanaians to improving roads across the country. You have heard him whenever he goes to meet stakeholders, talking about the networks to be improved,” Mr Agbodza said on Citi FM on Monday, January 5.

He explained that the government’s road agenda is no longer at the planning stage, stressing that funding has already been secured and channelled through the national budget to support extensive construction works.

“So, the President has committed resources for these roads to be improved. He made provisions in the budget for the Finance Minister to read. My job is to make sure that the vision of the President comes to pass,” he stated.

According to the minister, the Ministry of Roads and Highways is now positioned to focus squarely on execution, with most of the road projects earmarked for 2026 already awarded to contractors.

This, he noted, shifts the ministry’s attention from procurement to strict supervision and quality control.

“Fortunately, the core of the projects has now been awarded, and it is time for us to now focus on the contractors and the consultants to ensure that they do good work for us to get value for money, considering the investments we are putting into road construction,” Mr Agbodza said.

He added that monitoring mechanisms will be strengthened to ensure contractors adhere to specifications and timelines, warning that the government expects durable roads that justify the level of public investment being made.

Mr Agbodza’s comments come amid growing public concern over the condition of major highways, urban roads, and feeder roads, many of which have deteriorated due to years of heavy usage and delayed maintenance.

The minister indicated that the renewed push in 2026 is intended to address these challenges comprehensively, improve connectivity, and support economic activity, particularly in areas where poor road conditions have affected trade, transport costs, and road safety.

He stressed that the success of the programme will depend not only on funding but also on effective supervision, professionalism from consultants, and accountability from contractors tasked with delivering the projects.

The government has repeatedly identified road infrastructure as a critical driver of development, and the ministry says the coming year will mark a decisive phase in translating that priority into visible improvements across the country.

Meanwhile, President John Mahama has humorously apologized to Ghanaians, noting that Ghana will become a construction site this year.