Major roads across the country are set to see a facelift, and others are to be newly constructed, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced.

He revealed this during the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, July 24.

He mentioned that the government has identified and targeted specific road networks that are in "dire need of road infrastructure".

"Mr. Speaker, the Mahama administration has identified 166 constituencies in dire need of road infrastructure,” he said.

Dr. Forson said the government had programmed the rehabilitation of 10 kilometres of roads annually in each of the selected constituencies over the next three years.

"In response, we have programmed to rehabilitate 10km of roads annually in each of these constituencies,” he told Parliament.

According to the finance minister, this initiative will see a total of 5,000 kilometres of roads reconstructed across the 166 constituencies by 2028.

“This translates to approximately 5,000 kilometres of roads to be constructed in these 166 constituencies over the next three years. Simply put, over the next three years, we will build 5,000 kilometres of road in these critical areas.”

He gave a long list of the roads that will be built and those that will be rehabilitated.

1 Construction of a new bridge on the Oti River at Dambai2 Rehabilitation of Wa–Han Road3 Upgrading of Tumu–Hamile Road4 Upgrading of Tumu – Han – Lawra Road5 Reconstruction of the Navrongo–Tumu Road6 Rehabilitation of Techiman – Nkonsia – Wenchi Road7 Rehabilitation of Wenchi – Sawla Road8 Construction of Sungani Outer Ring Road9 Construction of Kumasi Outer Ring Road (Eastern Quadrant)10 Rehabilitation of Gibitri – Nakpanduri Road11 Rehabilitation of Dodo Pepesu – Nkwanta Road12 Rehabilitation of Atimpoku – Asikuma Junction Road13 Rehabilitation of Asikuma Junction – Anyirawasi Road14 Reconstruction of Anyirawasi – Ho Titrinu Road15 Upgrading of Akosombo–Gyakiti–Kudikope Road16 Upgrading of Asikuma to Anum Boso–Kpalime Road17 Upgrading of Adomi Bridge to Akwamufie Road18 Rehabilitation of Ho–Kpetoe Road19 Rehabilitation of Kpetoe – Afiadenyigba Road20 Rehabilitation of Afiadenyigba – Penyi Road21 Rehabilitation of Penyi – Aflao Road22 Dualisation of Winneba – Mankessim Road23 Dualisation of Cape Coast – Takoradi Road24 Rehabilitation of Mankessim – Ajumako – Breman Asikuma – Agona Swedru Road25 Rehabilitation of Tema – Aflao Road (Section 1)26 Reconstruction of Dodowa – Afienya – Dawhenya Road27 Upgrading of Ojubji – Appolonia – Afienya Road28 Construction of Enchi – Elubo Road29 Construction of Dadieso – Akomtomra Road30 Upgrading of Adwofua – Oseiokjokrom Road31 Upgrading of Enchi – Kudjouru – Pekyi Road32 Upgrading of Bediako Junction – Camp 15 – Sefwi Adabokrom Road

Despite the government's commitment to fixing roads, contractors are heavily owed by the state.

Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Governs Agbodza revealed earlier this month that the government owes road contractors GH¢21 billion.

According to him, the government will settle GH¢4 billion out of the large debt owed to road contractors, the Roads Minister revealed on Tuesday, July 8, during a press conference where he provided updates on the many road projects in the country.

“On record, we are intending to pay some GH¢4 billion towards retiring part of the 21 billion from this month. I have no doubt that will be on record to be one of the biggest payments at a particular time to make sure that we are serious about clearing the debt, and then also making provision to start the new work we are talking about,” Kwame Governs Agbodza said.

President John Dramani Mahama, during a meeting with members of the Council of State at the Presidency on Monday, July 7, announced the government's decision to begin paying debts owed to road contractors within this month.

This, he said, would help revive road construction projects that have been abandoned. “The Ministry of Finance has made dedicated financial allocations to address a substantial portion of the outstanding debts. We expect this to bring much-needed relief to the contractors and help accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure,” the President stated.

President Mahama emphasised his government's commitment to infrastructure development under his administration’s 24-hour economy agenda. On his part, prioritising road construction and the swift resumption of stalled road projects holds the key to promoting economic growth and productivity by ensuring adequate regional connectivity.

The announcement has been met with excitement and optimism by many stakeholders in the construction sector. The Ghana Institute of Engineers and the Association of Road Contractors have largely welcomed the president's announcement, but they have called for transparency.

They have called on the government to publish clear timelines and payment schedules to ensure that contractors can plan and mobilise resources effectively.

The Roads and Highways Minister announced that the government will settle GHC4 billion out of the large debt owed to road contractors.

“On record, we are intending to pay some GH¢4 billion towards retiring part of the 21 billion from this month. I have no doubt that will be on record to be one of the biggest payments at a particular time to make sure that we are serious about clearing the debt, and then also making provision to start the new work we are talking about,” Kwame Governs Agbodza said.

He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to unlocking the economic potential of the Afram Plains, with a major infrastructure plan that includes a 3.6-kilometre bridge over the River Afram and an estimated 100 kilometres of road network across key communities.

The initiative forms part of President John Dramani Mahama’s ambitious “Big Push” infrastructure agenda, designed to drive inclusive growth, reduce rural poverty, and strengthen Ghana’s agricultural value chain.

Among the roads under consideration are routes connecting Mpraeso – Obomeng – Nkawkaw, Abooso – Mpaem, Mpaem – Kwahu – Adawso, and Feyiase – Kwahu Tafo. Other priority roads include Ekye Amanfrom – Takoratwene, Takoratwene – Dome, Takoratwene – Donkorkrom, and Donkorkrom – New Kyeiase.

On Monday, April 28, the Minister for Roads and Highways led a team of engineers to survey the proposed bridge site and inspect strategic roads across the Eastern Region.

During a media interaction in Donkorkrom after the tour, the Minister reiterated the President’s determination to transform the Afram Plains into a hub for agribusiness and investment.

“The bridge when completed will connect Eastern, Ashanti and OTI regions in a very strategic way. It will open up the place for big time agriculture and investment in agro-processing,” Hon. Agbodza said.