Africa-Press – Ghana. The Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) to rigorous monitoring and supervision of government projects under the Big Push initiative.
He made the remarks during a two-day inspection tour of key projects across the region.
Mr. Gunu said the exercise formed part of the RCC’s core mandate to coordinate and supervise all government policies and development initiatives.
“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 explained that all contractors working under the initiative were currently on site except the one handling the Dzodze–Penyi stretch.
He said the contractor had been invited for engagement to understand any challenges and determine how best to resolve them.
The Minister encouraged contractors and consultants to organise regular site meetings as part of mechanisms established by President Mahama to eliminate abandoned projects.
He said one key intervention was allocating 20 per cent of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund to complete legacy projects. Beyond this, the President had emphasised that sod would only be cut for projects with dedicated funding sources.
”This ensures continuity and accountability,” he said.
He lauded progress made so far and urged contractors to maintain the momentum, saying “There are several lots assigned based on contractor capacity. Those not performing will be exposed, and those delivering will be evident to all. 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 stated.
Mr. Gunu stressed that the Big Push was not just another infrastructure project but a major economic driver that would create jobs and expand opportunities for young people.
He said the VRCC would intensify monitoring and supervision, adding that contractors must provide work schedules, hold regular site meetings, and adhere strictly to timelines.
He added that a Big Push Secretariat would be opened at the Presidency to allow the President to directly monitor progress.
The Minister appealed to residents to bear with temporary inconveniences during construction, including roadblocks and property adjustments.
“Those with structures close to the road must cooperate. Illegal speed ramps must stop. The clergy, traditional leaders, and Muslim chiefs here will help educate communities so the roads are not destroyed after construction,” he added.
He also urged motorists to drive cautiously, noting that improved roads often led to speeding, prompting unauthorized speed ramps.
Mr. Samuel Yaw Egyir, Regional Maintenance Manager of the Ghana Highways Authority, highlighted the importance of roads under the Big Push initiative.
He noted that the 53.3 km Hohoe–Have road, being constructed by Greenhouse Developers Ghana Limited, was initially funded by COCOBOD but had now been absorbed into the Big Push, which forms part of National Road 2, stretching from Tema to Kulungugu and completion would boost economic activities and significantly reduce travel time.
He added that the Asikuma–Have road on the same corridor was equally crucial as National Road 2 provides the shortest route from the Tema Port to Burkina Faso.
He said about 177 km of roads from Atimpoku to Ho to Denu, with nine contractors on the stretch, progress is impressive and some contractors are ahead of schedule.
On the contractor absent from site, he confirmed that the company has since reported and is mobilizing to return to work.
“We will ensure the use of quality materials, adherence to project quantities, and delivery of safe, reliable roads,” he assured.
Togbe Sei II, Paramount Chief of the Botoku Traditional Area and representative of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs on the tour, shared observations on the ongoing projects.
“We have moved from Ho to Hohoe and back to Have. We are not too impressed with activities on the Have-Hohoe stretch due to delays. However, contractors from Asikuma to Adidome are performing well, and the Atimpoku–Denu stretch shows excellent progress,” he said.
He urged contractors yet to resume work to engage with authorities so that any challenges causing delays can be promptly addressed.
In brief meetings with the Minister, some contractors pledged to complete their projects on schedule and to engage local labour to support both quality delivery and employment generation.
Some residents along the corridor expressed satisfaction with the pace of work.
Madam Hellen Folikumah and Mr. Frank Kwakuvi of Penyi praised the contractor working on the Penyi–Tokor stretch for the speed and quality of work so far.
The two-day tour covered inspection of Big Push Lots 1–9 (Atimpoku–Asikuma–Ho–Aflao): 177 km, Asutsuare Junction – Volivo – Dorfor Adidome – Asikuma Junction: 67 km including the new Volta River Bridge at Sayikope, Eastern Corridor components which is Asikuma–Have and Have–Hohoe roads, Blekusu Sea Defence Phase II at Agavedzi, Keta Port Administration Block, Tema Development Corporation (TDC) site in Ho
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