Road maintenance contractors have threatened to picket in front of the Jubilee house over unpaid arrears in the last six years.

The firms responsible for building, repairing, and preserving trunk, urban, feeder roads, and desilting drains.

According to the contractors, operating under the Single Man Contractors (SMC) Association, they have not been paid for certified works carried out for the Ghana Highway Authority since 2020 despite several appeals for settlement.

In a petition to President John Dramani Mahama dated May 25, 2026, the group called for urgent intervention, arguing that the prolonged delay has created severe financial difficulties for members and affected their ability to continue operations.

“As single man contractors, we undertook and completed the assigned work in good faith and according to the agreed terms. Despite several follow-ups with the Ghana Highway Authority, outstanding payment for the completed contract has still not been made,” the petition stated.

They also revealed that, even in March this year, they petitioned the Presidency in March this year but have yet to receive a resolution to the matter.

The association says it had earlier petitioned the Presidency in March this year but is yet to receive a resolution to the matter.

They highlighted the relevance of their role during the rainy season, especially as rainfall continues across the country.

The issue comes at a critical time as the rainy season intensifies across the country and concerns over flooding increase.

“The continued delay in settling this obligation has caused serious financial hardship and affected both our livelihood and ability to meet other commitments,” the petition added.

They have warned that if the outstanding payments remain unresolved, members may embark on a peaceful picketing exercise at Jubilee House to draw attention to their grievances.

Govt's road projects at GHC 50bn under Big Push

Ghanaians are set for safe, smooth and fast travel as President John Mahama announced a massive expansion of roads under one of his flagship “Big Push” initiatives, stating that the project covering 1,144 kilometres is currently underway at an estimated cost of GH¢50 billion.

He made this revelation while delivering the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Friday, February 27, describing the programme as the most extensive road-sector investment in Ghana’s history, explaining that the project will unlock key economic corridors, stimulate employment, and reduce the cost of transporting goods and services.

The president continued that, aside from the new projects, the government is competing for 23 road contracts inherited from the previous administration, which cover 573 kilometres at GH¢15 billion. In total, nearly 2,000 kilometres of roads are being upgraded or rehabilitated across all 16 regions, with 73 projects already showing measurable progress.

One of the major projects is the Accra-Kumasi highway. The government has proposed a 198.7-kilometre six-lane Accra–Kumasi Expressway aimed at reducing travel time from about 5-6 hours to just 2 and a half hours. Also, one of the country’s busiest and oldest expressways will see a facelift and feature eight interchanges and advanced safety systems.

To oversee the project, the government has established Accra-Kumasi Expressway Limited, a subsidiary of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, to manage design, financing, construction, and long-term operation under a concession arrangement of up to 50 years. Feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs are ongoing.

Other strategic undertakings include the completion of the Eastern Corridor Road by 2027, the transformation of the Accra–Tema Motorway into a four-lane expressway with service roads and interchanges, and upgrades to the Kumasi Inner Ring Road. Bridge infrastructure is also progressing, notably the Dambai Bridge across the River Oti and the Adawso Bridge over the River Afram.

Derailing how these road projects will be financed, President Mahama revealed that the cabinet has approved the reinstating of tolls this year, but adopting digital technology to check accountability and block any leakages in revenue, adding that the toll system will take effect later this year.