The Big Push: A roadmap of opportunities

By Constance GBEDZO

Ghana’s current infrastructure stock is insufficient to support its growing population, stimulate sustainable economic growth, and improve the quality of life for its citizens. Ghana has had a significant infrastructure deficit across several key sectors, particularly when compared to other lower-middle-income countries. The country’s infrastructure has been a significant bottleneck to its development, and addressing these gaps is a key part of the government’s long-term strategy, as highlighted by the “Big Push” initiative. A country’s infrastructure directly impacts its economic performance. Poor infrastructure increases the cost of doing business, limits market access, and hinders productivity. By building modern roads, railways, and ports, Ghana can facilitate trade, attract foreign investment, and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

There is a critical need for infrastructural development in Ghana across various sectors.

• Roads and Transport: A major gap exists in Ghana’s road network. While major urban centers have some well-paved roads, many rural and feeder roads are in poor condition, hindering the transportation of agricultural products from farms to markets. The railway system is largely defunct, and an over-reliance on road transport leads to traffic congestion, higher transport costs, and frequent accidents. .
• Energy: Despite significant progress, Ghana’s energy sector still faces challenges. The country has a high reliance on hydropower, which is vulnerable to climate variability and can lead to power outages (“dumsor”). The demand for electricity continues to outpace supply, and the cost of power remains a concern for industries and households.
• Water and Sanitation: Many urban and rural areas still lack reliable access to clean, potable water. The country also faces challenges with inadequate sanitation facilities, which contribute to public health issues. The management of solid and liquid waste is a significant problem, particularly in densely populated areas.
• Housing and Urban Development: Ghana has a huge housing deficit, estimated to be in the millions of units. This has led to the development of slums, overcrowding, and high rental costs, particularly in major cities. There is a need for strategic urban planning and the construction of affordable housing to meet the needs of the growing population.
• Digital Infrastructure: While mobile phone penetration is high, there are still significant gaps in reliable and high-speed internet connectivity, especially in rural and remote areas. Bridging this gap is crucial for Ghana’s digital transformation, economic diversification, and the development of a knowledge-based economy.

The “Big Push” is a comprehensive infrastructure development program in Ghana with a wide range of projects across various sectors. It was initiated by the government to address the country’s longstanding infrastructure deficit.

For Ghanaians, this program represents a major effort to improve the country’s physical landscape and, more broadly, to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. The program, with its US$10 billion investment over a four-year period, is designed to be multi-faceted and to touch on all 16 regions of the country.

Contents of the Big Push program

The key contents of the Big Push program are as follows:

Roads and Highways: This is a major component of the program to construct, rehabilitate, and expand a vast network of roads, including:

• Major Corridors: This includes the “Golden Triangle” highway (Accra/Tema-Takoradi-Techiman), the Eastern Corridor, and the Western Corridor, which are crucial for linking the country’s major economic hubs.
• Orbital Motorways: This program includes the development of outer ring roads around major cities like Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale to ease traffic congestion and allow for the free flow of goods and people.
• Feeder and Urban Roads: A significant focus is on improving roads in food-producing and industrial areas, as well as those within towns and cities, to enhance connectivity and stimulate local economies.
• Completion of Stalled Projects: The program prioritizes the completion of numerous abandoned or stalled government road projects, such as the Dome-Kitase, Ofankor-Nsawam, and Adenta-Dodowa stretches.

 Railway Infrastructure: The Big Push aims to modernize and expand Ghana’s railway network. Key projects include:

• Western Corridor: The revamping of the Western Corridor rail line to facilitate the transport of bulk cargo and passengers.
• Eastern Corridor: The reconstruction and upgrade of the Eastern Corridor rail line, with plans to extend both corridors to the north of the country.
• Inner-city Light Rail Systems: The program also includes the development of urban light rail systems in cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi to improve public transportation.

3. Water Infrastructure: The program seeks to address water access challenges by constructing, rehabilitating, and expanding water supply systems in various communities across the country. This includes:

• Projects in key areas like Ho, Sogakope, Kpeve, Hohoe, Tamale, and Yendi to ensure a sustainable and equitable supply of clean water.
• Measures to address the perennial flooding caused by the Bagre Dam spillage.
• The development of new multi-purpose dams like the Nasia, Nabogu, and Pwalugu dams to support agriculture.

 Other Infrastructure Sectors: While roads and railways are prominent, the Big Push also has a broader scope that includes:

• Bridges: The construction and rehabilitation of key bridges, such as the Dambai Bridge and the Buipe, Daboya, and Yapei bridges.
• Health and Education Infrastructure: The program extends to the expansion of facilities in other sectors, with plans to upgrade hospitals and schools.
• Digital Infrastructure: The program is also expected to include investments in digital infrastructure to support Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.

Economic Significance of the Program

In essence, the “Big Push” is more than just a series of construction projects; it is a promise of a more prosperous future through strategic investment, job creation, and a renewed focus on national development. As a Ghanaian, the program means the following to me:

1. A $10 Billion Infrastructure Transformation: At its core, the Big Push is a four-year, US$10 billion plan to invest heavily in various infrastructure projects. This includes roads, railways, water systems, bridges, and other critical facilities. The goal is to modernize and expand Ghana’s infrastructure to support a growing economy and improve the quality of life for citizens.
2. Improved Quality of Life: Quality infrastructure, such as reliable water supply, electricity, and sanitation systems, is essential for public health and well-being. It directly improves the lives of ordinary citizens by providing access to basic services and reducing the time and cost of daily commutes.
3. Job Creation and Economic Empowerment: A key promise of the Big Push is the creation of jobs. By undertaking massive construction projects, the initiative aims to provide direct employment for a wide range of professionals, from engineers and technicians to masons and machine operators. Beyond direct employment, it is expected to generate jobs indirectly in supply chains and related industries like cement and steel manufacturing. The program is also seen as a way to formalize and empower young Ghanaians by providing them with skills, particularly through a focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
4. Addressing Long-standing Challenges: The Big Push is a direct response to Ghana’s persistent infrastructure problems, such as poor roads, inadequate water supply, and a lack of reliable transportation. For many Ghanaians, the program promises to finally fix these issues that have long hindered economic activity and daily life. It also aims to prioritize the completion of stalled and abandoned government projects, which have been a source of frustration and wasted resources.

 

1. A Focus on Ghanaian Contractors: The government has emphasized that the Big Push will prioritize Ghanaian contractors, with the aim of building local capacity and ensuring that the economic benefits of the projects remain within the country. This is a significant point for Ghanaians in the construction sector, as it offers a chance for local firms to play a leading role in national development.
2. Regional Development: The program is designed to be comprehensive and to benefit all 16 regions of Ghana. A key focus is on connecting regional and district capitals, as well as improving roads in food-producing and industrial areas. This is intended to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, improve connectivity for trade and commerce, and ensure that development is more equitable across the country.
3. Regional Integration: Modernizing infrastructure, particularly railways and ports, is crucial for Ghana’s role as a gateway to West Africa. Improved transit corridors will facilitate trade with landlocked neighboring countries, strengthening regional economic ties.

Indeed, the “Big Push” is envisioned as more than just a series of projects; it is meant to be a legacy that transforms Ghana’s economic and social landscape for generations to come. Apparently, the long-term impact and legacy of the program, if successful, would be multi-faceted and touch on several key areas.

Funding Options

Funding for Ghana’s “Big Push” is a combination of public and private sources, with a clear focus on leveraging the country’s natural resource wealth. The government has a multi-faceted approach to financing this ambitious US$10 billion program over its four-year span. The key funding details:

1. Petroleum Revenues and Mineral Royalties: The primary source of public funding for the Big Push comes from Ghana’s natural resources, using petroleum revenues, specifically through the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA), and mineral royalties.
2. Government Budget Allocation: Government has announced a record GH¢13.9 billion (approximately US$1.1 billion) for infrastructure development in the 2025 budget, with projections to increase this to GH¢21.2 billion by 2028 as the program scales up.
3. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Public funds alone will not be enough to meet the country’s vast infrastructure needs. The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) is expected to play a crucial role in creating Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to attract private capital, blended finance, and international development funds. The government’s long-term goal is to make infrastructure financing more sustainable. The plan is to revamp the GIIF to undertake strategic self-financing projects, which could create a more consistent and self-reliant funding model for future infrastructure needs, extending beyond the initial US$10 billion commitment.
4. International Development and Financial Institutions: The program has garnered support from international bodies. The African Development Bank (AfDB), for instance, has pledged its support for the program, with plans to help mobilize pension fund assets and boost regional development through upgrades to road and rail infrastructure.

A core part of the Big Push is its commitment to equitable development across all 16 regions of Ghana. By targeting projects in underserved areas, the program aims to bridge the rural-urban divide, ensuring that the benefits of development are shared more equitably. This would improve access to essential services like healthcare and education, and create economic opportunities in regions that have historically been neglected.

In summary, the most significant legacy of the Big Push would be the establishment of a modern, efficient, and integrated infrastructure network. This would reduce the cost of doing business, improve supply chains, and make Ghana a more attractive destination for both local and foreign investment. The program aims to create an environment where businesses, from agriculture to manufacturing, can thrive, leading to sustained economic growth. By improving roads and railways, the program would make it easier to transport raw materials and finished goods, which is a key requirement for industrial expansion. Similarly, the construction of dams and irrigation systems would support year-round agriculture, helping to ensure food security and create a more resilient agricultural sector.

His Excellency John Mahama is definitely on a new paradigm for public works. His tone at the top is palatable, and Ghanaians are in love of it. The Big Push is meant to set a new standard for how large-scale government projects are managed and funded in Ghana. The program’s prioritization of Ghanaian contractors and engineers is designed to build local capacity and ensure that the economic benefits stay within the country. If successful, this could create a new class of highly-skilled professionals and a more robust domestic construction industry.

Ghanaians are also witnessing demonstrable fiscal responsibility. By funding the program primarily with petroleum revenues and mineral royalties, the government is attempting to move away from over-reliance on external debt. If this model proves effective, it could provide a sustainable and self-reliant funding mechanism for future infrastructure needs.

Nonetheless, government is holding itself to accountability and timeliness. The government’s promise of timely payments to contractors and the emphasis on rigorous timelines for project completion are meant to address a long-standing issue of abandoned projects. A successful “Big Push” would be a testament to what is achievable with strong political will and effective project management, restoring public trust in government-led initiatives.

The program is also being implemented with a strong monitoring system, including a special secretariat under the Office of the President, to ensure projects are completed within their timelines and budgets.

Ghanaian can now give meaning to the much emphasized technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Beyond the physical infrastructure, the program’s legacy would be its impact on employment and human capital. The massive scale of the projects is expected to create thousands of jobs, particularly for the youth. The focus on technical and vocational training (TVET) as part of the program would also equip young Ghanaians with practical skills, empowering them for future opportunities.

In essence, the Big Push is being positioned as a transformative initiative that goes beyond a mere construction program. Let Ghanaians, for once, eschew the extreme partisanship, and foster unity in support for the Big Push that has the potential to create a legacy of national self-reliance, economic modernization, and equitable development, demonstrating a new way forward for Ghana’s long-term progress.

Government is also actively pursuing private sector involvement and partnerships with international financial institutions to ensure the successful and timely implementation of the program.

A core principle of the program is the commitment to local content, with the government aiming to prioritize Ghanaian contractors and engineers to build local capacity and keep the economic benefits within the country. The program is self-sustaining as there is dedicated funding arrangements in place.

Small businesses and entrepreneurs must therefore take advantage of opportunities being created under the program.

Thewriter is a Risk & Enterprise Development Expert

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