The Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, has reaffirmed the Volta Regional Coordinating Council’s (VRCC) commitment to rigorous monitoring and supervision of government projects under the Big Push initiative.
The remarks came during a two-day inspection tour of key projects across the region, aimed at ensuring timely delivery and accountability.
Mr Gunu explained that the exercise is part of the Council’s core mandate to coordinate and supervise all government policies and development initiatives.
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“This time, we have decided to conduct the monitoring together with representatives from the Regional House of Chiefs, our Council of State Member, the clergy, and other stakeholders.
The focus is on Big Push projects recently launched by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama,” he said.
He noted that all contractors were currently on site except for the one handling the Dzodze–Penyi stretch, which has since been invited to report and resolve challenges.
The Minister encouraged contractors and consultants to hold regular site meetings to prevent project abandonment. He highlighted that President Mahama mandated 20 percent of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund be allocated to complete legacy projects and that sod-cutting should only occur for projects with dedicated funding sources, ensuring continuity and accountability.
Lauding progress so far, Mr Gunu urged contractors to maintain momentum.
“This is a long-distance race; some may start fast, others slow, but in the end, we expect every contractor to complete their work within the 24-month window,” he said, stressing that the Big Push is a major economic driver that will create jobs and expand opportunities for young people.
The Minister further announced that a Big Push Secretariat would be established at the Presidency to allow direct monitoring by the President.
He appealed to residents to cooperate with temporary inconveniences during construction, including roadblocks and property adjustments, and urged motorists to drive cautiously. “Illegal speed ramps must stop.
The clergy, traditional leaders, and Muslim chiefs will educate communities so the roads are not destroyed after construction,” he added.
Mr Samuel Yaw Egyir, Regional Maintenance Manager of the Ghana Highways Authority, highlighted the importance of roads under the initiative, noting that the 53.3 km Hohoe–Have road, initially funded by COCOBOD, has been incorporated into National Road 2 under the Big Push.
Completion of this corridor, which stretches from Tema to Kulungugu, will boost economic activity and reduce travel time. He confirmed that contractors on most stretches are performing well and ahead of schedule, and that the previously absent contractor is now mobilising.
Togbe Sei II, Paramount Chief of the Botoku Traditional Area, observed that while some sections, like Have, Hohoe, experienced delays, stretches from Asikuma to Adidome and Atimpoku–Denu showed excellent progress.
Contractors pledged to engage local labour, ensuring both quality delivery and employment generation. Residents along the corridor, including Madam Hellen Folikumah and Mr Frank Kwakuvi of Penyi, expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of ongoing works.
The tour covered inspection of Big Push Lots 1–9, including 177 km from Atimpoku, Asikuma, Ho, Aflao, 67 km on the Asutsuare Junction–Volivo–Dorfor–Adidome–Asikuma Junction route, the new Volta River Bridge at Sayikope, the Eastern Corridor roads Asikuma-Have and Have-Hohoe, Blekusu Sea Defence Phase II at Agavedzi, Keta Port Administration Block, and the Tema Development Corporation site in Ho.
