By Jones Anlimah
Ongoing construction works are progressing steadily on road projects under the government’s Big Push initiative in the Volta Region. This was observed when the Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, led a delegation to inspect ongoing road projects under the programme.
Mr. Gunu reaffirmed government’s commitment to completing all ongoing road projects under the Big Push initiative, as well as key roads initiated by the previous administration across the region within schedule.
Speaking after the tour, the Regional Minister said the exercise formed part of the Regional Coordinating Council’s core mandate to monitor government projects with the involvement of traditional authorities, the clergy, and civil society stakeholders.
“We are not sitting in our offices, we are on the ground to ensure contractors deliver. This project is not just about roads; it’s about opening up the region for economic and employment opportunities,” he stated.
He further urged contractors to hold regular site meetings with consultants to address challenges promptly, adding that President John Dramani Mahama had established a ‘Big Push Secretariat’ at the Presidency to directly monitor progress.
The Minister reminded residents to bear with temporary inconveniences arising from construction works and appealed to property owners to cooperate during right-of-way clearances.
The delegation visited several key projects across the region, including the Have–Hohoe Road Project (53.35km), the Asikuma–Have Road Project (45km), Asutsuare Junction–Volivo–Dorfor Adidome–Asikuma Junction (67km), and Atimpoku–Asikuma Road Project Lots 1 and 2 (17.5km and 8.5km).
Other projects inspected were the Asikuma–Anyirawase Road Project Lot 3 (23.4km), Anyirawase–Ho (Sokode) (10km), UHAS Bypass–Ho Titrinu (11km), and Ho (Guinness Depot)–Airport Second Gate Lot 4 (7.7km).
The rest include Airport Second Gate–Kpetoe Lot 5 (27km), Kpetoe–Ave Afiadenyigba Lots 6 and 7 (24km and 8.5km), Ave Afiadenyigba–Penyi Lots 8A and 8B (14km and 9km), and the Penyi–Denu Road Lot 9 (22km).
The Volta Regional Maintenance Manager of the Ghana Highway Authority, Ing. Samuel Yaw Egyir, who accompanied the inspection team, described progress on the various projects as encouraging.
“Contractors are progressing well, and travel time along the route is expected to reduce by about 40 percent once completed. Most of them are ahead of schedule, and we are hopeful all works will be completed within the 24-month project period,” he said.
Ing. Egyir noted that nine contractors are currently working on various stretches of the N2 corridor, covering a total of about 177 kilometres from Atimpoku through Asikuma and Hohoe to Denu.
“The Hohoe–Have section, which was initially funded by COCOBOD, has now been enrolled under the Big Push initiative. It forms part of the National Road 2 (N2) from Tema to Kulungugu, a vital trade corridor linking Ghana’s ports to Burkina Faso,” he explained.
The Paramount Chief of the Botoku Traditional Area and a member of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbega Sei II, who joined the inspection tour, praised contractors who have demonstrated diligence but expressed concern about delays on the Hohoe–Have stretch.
“We are impressed with works from Asikuma to Adidome and from Kpetoe to Denu, where contractors are performing efficiently. However, we expect those delaying to resume quickly so that by our next review in six months, we will see clear improvement,” Togbega Sei stated.
He added that traditional leaders would continue to support the Regional Coordinating Council’s monitoring efforts to ensure timely delivery, accountability, and sustainability in the project’s execution.
The Big Push infrastructure initiative is a major national programme aimed at accelerating Ghana’s development by investing in strategic road networks, housing, and other essential infrastructure.
In the Volta Region, the road component is expected to enhance trade, connectivity, and access to services, linking communities from Atimpoku through Hohoe to Denu and beyond.
The inspection team included representatives from the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, the clergy, the Muslim community, officials from the Ghana Highway Authority, and the Volta Regional Member of the Council of State, Mr. Gabriel Tanko Kwamega-Atokple.
