The Minority in Parliament has taken strong exception to the government’s road infrastructure priorities as outlined in the 2025 Mid-Year Budget, describing them as lopsided, misleading, and politically motivated.
In a statement signed by Hon. Osei Kennedy Nyarko, Ranking Member on the Roads and Transportation Committee, the caucus raised alarm over what it called an “unbalanced distribution” of projects under the so-called Big Push Programme.
According to the Minority, key urban and economic zones, such as the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, which are home to over 35% of Ghana’s population and a significant portion of national economic activity, have been sidelined. “These two regions host a majority of Ghana’s urban population and carry the bulk of vehicular traffic and economic activity, yet are noticeably absent from the core focus of this so-called ‘push,’” the statement observed.
Particularly concerning is the absence of the Accra-Kumasi highway from the government’s project list. Despite being the country’s most vital corridor and a hub of both human and commercial traffic, the ongoing rehabilitation and the promised six-lane expansion of the road were not mentioned. Equally neglected are important bypass projects at Nsawam, Osino, Enyeresi, and Konongo, all designed to ease congestion but now left in limbo. “To neglect these areas in national planning is to undermine economic efficiency and social mobility,” the Minority warned.
The statement also criticized the repackaging of old projects as new achievements. Roads such as the Wa-Han stretch, Navrongo-Tumu, Sunyani Outer Ring Road, and the Tema-Aflao highway were cited as projects originally initiated under the previous administration but now presented as new initiatives. “This repackaging raises questions about transparency and the true extent of new investment,” the caucus pointed out, urging the government to acknowledge and respect the principle of continuity in public works.
On the matter of financing, the Minority took issue with the Finance Minister’s claim that the former administration took loans for certain road projects but diverted the funds. They labelled Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s remarks as “false and misleading,” and clarified that the $750 million Afreximbank facility was a well-structured, multipurpose fund approved by Parliament. It was intended to support the Ofankor-Nsawam Road, Suame Interchange, Flowerpot Interchange, and key bypasses along the Accra-Kumasi corridor. “Let’s speak facts. Let’s be truthful to Ghanaians,” the statement urged.
In addition to these concerns, the Minority highlighted the lack of clarity in the project list. They pointed out the absence of timelines, cost estimates, and feasibility indicators, warning that the volume of projects listed is unrealistic given the country’s tight fiscal space. “The absence of clear timelines, costings, and prioritization frameworks suggests that this is more a political wish list than a serious implementation agenda,” the statement said.
The Minority also disputed claims that 13 road projects were abandoned, explaining that many of these projects were active until the government allegedly withheld payments to contractors deliberately to reduce pressure on the cedi. Such decisions, they argue, delay national progress and undermine trust within the construction industry.
In conclusion, the Minority declared the 2025 Mid-Year Budget’s road agenda a failure in terms of equity, transparency, and strategic planning. They called on the government to rebalance regional allocations, prioritize vital ongoing projects, particularly along the Accra-Kumasi-Tamale-Paga corridor, and provide detailed information on project timelines and funding. Most importantly, they urged the ruling administration to end the politicization of infrastructure. “Stop the politicization of road development, and embrace continuity for national progress,” the statement concluded.
