Dodowa–Afienya Road Construction Will Bring Relief To Commuters – Linda Ocloo

Member of Parliament for Shai-Osudoku who doubles as the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo has said, the Dodowa-Afienya-Dawhenya road construction under government ‘Big Push’ initiative would serve as a relief and also open new opportunities for commuters far and near when done.

Speaking at the launch of the programme at Afienya in the Greater Accra Region yesterday, September 16, Mrs. Ocloo explained that, the project reflects government’s vision of infrastructure as a driver of development – connecting not just towns, but people to jobs, healthcare, education, education and business.

“This project will bring immense relief and open new opportunities for our communities, reflecting government’s vision of infrastructure as a driver of development—connecting not just towns, but people to jobs, healthcare, education, education and business” she made it known in her address to welcome the President.

Read full statement below:

Your Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Honourable Ministers, Members of Parliament, Traditional Leaders, Distinguished Guests, Media, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the good people of the Greater Accra Region, it is my honour to welcome you to Afienya for this landmark sod-cutting ceremony for the Dodowa–Afienya Road and selected town roads. This project will bring immense relief and open new opportunities for our communities, reflecting government’s vision of infrastructure as a driver of development—connecting not just towns, but people to jobs, healthcare, education, education and business.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we are privileged to have with us the man whose leadership continues to move Ghana forward—a leader committed to inclusive growth and ensuring no Ghanaian is left behind.

It is therefore my singular honour and standing ovation to invite to the podium, the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, to deliver his address.

No One Will Be Left Behind

President John Dramani Mahama on his part assured Ghanaians that every region in the country will benefit from the Big Push infrastructure programme.

According to President Mahama, the Big Push programme will open up economic opportunities, improve food distribution networks, and make travel between regions and districts easier, while also boosting industrial growth.

President Mahama explained that the initiative is designed to modernise Ghana’s road network and strengthen national connectivity.

“From January 7, we have been designing road projects across the length and breadth of the country. The Big Push touches all 16 regions of the country. Every region is going to benefit from its share of the Big Push programme,” he said.

Outlining the priorities of the initiative, the President noted that the first focus is on inter-regional roads linking regional capitals.

“Our priority was to take roads that connect one regional capital to another. We believe that it should be easy for people to travel from one capital to another, for example, from Accra to Ho, or Accra to Cape Coast,” he explained.

The second priority, he added, is roads linking district capitals. “We have 261 districts in Ghana, and we believe that districts that are close should have good roads linking their district capitals to each other,” President Mahama said.

The third priority is road infrastructure in food-producing and industrial manufacturing areas.

“We selected all the major food-growing areas in the country, looked at the roads in those areas, and added them to the Big Push,” he stated.

Completion in 24 months

Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, also gave firm assurance that the newly launched ‘Big Push’ road project in Afienya in the Greater Accra region will be completed in under 24 months.

He described the initiative as a “bold intervention” that goes beyond politics.

Mr Agbodza acknowledged the heavy debt burden currently hanging over the Ministry, estimated at GH¢40 billion owed to contractors, but insisted that the government was committed to delivering results this time around.

“Mr President, if you come to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, we owe probably 40 billion Ghana cedis in debt to contractors,” he revealed.

“But when we went round the country, the 16 regions, it was difficult to see what the money was spent on.”

Mr Agbodza lauded President John Mahama for his leadership in pushing through what he called the largest single intervention in Ghana’s road sector.

“Despite all that, Mr President, you made a bold commitment to institute an intervention that will go down in history as the president that gave the biggest dose of intervention at a single time on our roads,” the Minister declared.

“The Big Push is not a campaign promise, it is a bold intervention by your government.”

Mr Agbodza moved to ease concerns about potential delays, emphasising the capability of the contractor handling the Afienya stretch.

“When we say we can do this project within four months, we mean business. The people of Greater Accra and Ga-Dangbe, don’t be worried,” he assured.

“The contractor that is on this stretch, I believe, can do this project in less than 24 months.”

The Minister further promised that Ghanaians would see tangible progress under the Big Push, with the government closely monitoring timelines and delivery.

“We shall implement Big Push, and the results will be there for everyone to see,” he said.

The government has allocated GH¢13.85 billion (US$892.9 million) for the Big Push programme.

There are 42 road projects under the Big Push Programme.

The programme is a key plank of the president’s long-term vision to modernise Ghana’s infrastructure, with an initial focus on the road network.

Government has indicated that the Big Push is expected to deliver transformative infrastructure projects across the country, stimulating economic growth while improving the quality of life for citizens.