Mahama credits economic gains to policy reforms, unveils major road projects under ‘Big Push Programme’ – Nsemkeka
President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana’s economy is beginning to show signs of recovery, thanks to decisive policy reforms and fiscal discipline initiated by his administration.
Speaking during his Thank You Tour in the Upper West Region, President Mahama highlighted a stabilising cedi and a gradual drop in the cost of living as early indicators of progress.
“Real work begins now, and I’m here not just to say thank you but to reassure you that your voice has been heard,” the President said. “Your vote has a purpose, and that purpose is to bring development to the region.”
He credited the improvement in economic indicators to tough policy choices made in the early months of his administration and pointed to the 2024 budget as a turning point.
“Since taking over the reins of government, our focus has been on stabilising the economy. We therefore presented to Parliament in March this year a budget aimed at severely trimming expenditure and channelling the saved revenue into priority programmes, as promised in our manifesto,” he noted.
“I’m happy to report that our efforts to stabilise the economy have begun to yield results. This is evident in the improved performance of our local currency and the gradual reduction in prices of goods and services in the market.”
The President praised his economic management team, particularly the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, for what he described as “close collaboration and coordination” in steering the recovery.
“I wish to commend the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, along with their teams, for the coordination they are displaying in this economic turnaround,” he said.
“I’m sure that by the time the Honourable Minister returns to Parliament in August for the mid-year review, we’ll have even more good news for Ghanaians.”
Major Infrastructure Projects Coming
Turning to infrastructure, President Mahama announced that Cabinet will soon approve a series of major national infrastructure projects under his administration’s flagship Big Push Programme, with roads topping the priority list.
“Cabinet will soon approve priority projects under the Big Push Infrastructure Programme. Understandably, a significant number of these will be in the road sector,” he revealed.
These will include the dualisation of key highways and construction of major bridges.
“These works include the dualisation of major highways, including the Accra-Kumasi, Accra-Takoradi, and Accra-Aflao roads. We’ll also tackle major bridges such as the Dambai Bridge, the Echia-Mangfrum Bridge, and the rehabilitation of the Bupe, Daboya, and Yape Bridges,” he said.
The President also announced a brand-new expressway between Accra and Kumasi, aimed at cutting down travel time between the two cities to two and a half hours.
“We’re also designing a new expressway between Accra and Kumasi, which will reduce the travel time between Ghana’s two largest cities to about two and a half hours,” he added.
Roads in the Upper West a Priority
President Mahama recalled how the poor road network in the Upper West Region became a key concern during the campaign, prompting its inclusion in the national priority list.
“During the campaign, we travelled on the terrible road network that has become characteristic of the Upper West Region. In this region, under the Big Push, we are prioritising the Watumu–Bolgatanga Trunk Road,” he said.
President Mahama reaffirmed the NDC’s commitment to delivering inclusive, transformative development across all regions of Ghana, with particular attention to historically neglected areas.
“We are determined, under the guidance of the NDC’s 2024 manifesto, to bring transformational change to every corner of Ghana—and especially to regions like the Upper West Region that have long been underdeveloped despite their huge potential,” he said.