Roads and Highways Minister Governs Kwame Agbodza says the government’s Big Push road infrastructure programme is already having a significant impact on Ghana’s construction sector, with banks that previously avoided contractors now actively seeking to lend to them.

According to the Minister, the government has made adequate financial provisions for the programme and, as of Friday, September 11, 2026, had cleared all certified payments owed to contractors working on Big Push projects.

Speaking in an interview with Kwesi Parker Wilson on Oyerepa Breakfast Time on Monday, September 14, Mr Agbodza said the government currently does not owe any Big Push contractor for certificates that have been duly processed.

“As of Friday when I was leaving the office, we don’t owe any Big Push contractor one cedi. There’s a timeline between the certificate leaving my office to the Finance Ministry, but I know that as of Friday every contractor working on the Big Push whose certificate is in existence has been paid,” he said.

The Minister said the improved flow of funds has also strengthened contractors’ ability to execute projects, with many now working ahead of schedule.

He expressed confidence that some of the ongoing projects could be completed and handed over before the end of 2026.

“Generally, almost all Big Push contractors are pushing hard to meet the completion date. That is why I am saying, without doubt, by the close of this year, some of them could finish and hand over to us, which would be almost a year ahead of the scheduled time,” he stated.

Mr Agbodza described the Big Push initiative as more than a road construction programme, arguing that it is serving as an economic catalyst by creating demand for materials, machinery, skilled labour and financing across the construction industry.

He pointed to the changing conditions within the sector as evidence of the programme’s wider economic impact.

“Today, many contractors can’t even find chippings. Some trucks go to sit and spend a week there. They can’t find experienced machine operators. Banks that don’t want to hear anything about contractors, today banks are chasing contractors for loans,” he said.

The Minister said the increased demand for construction inputs and labour reflects the scale of activity generated by the government’s road infrastructure drive.