Prez. Mahama Orders Payment of $78m to Fast-Track Cape Coast–Takoradi Road Project
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Finance to release nearly $78 million to settle outstanding certificates owed to the contractor working on the Cape Coast–Takoradi dualisation project, as part of efforts to fast-track completion of the strategic road corridor.
The President gave the assurance during a site visit and road inspection along the corridor, which forms part of the Trans-West African Highway linking Lagos in Nigeria to Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire.
President Mahama described the route as a critical artery for both international and domestic traffic, particularly for the Western Region, which serves as a major hub for the transportation of natural resources including manganese and other minerals.
“This is part of the trans-West African link from Lagos to Abidjan, and a lot of international traffic comes through here, including local traffic,” he said.
He also stressed the road’s importance to Ghana’s economy and regional trade.
President Mahama said the contractor, Justmoh Construction, one of Ghana’s leading indigenous road construction firms, had raised concerns about non-payment since being awarded the contract in 2024.
He noted that following the complaint, he instructed the Finance Minister last week to address the issue.
“I have directed the Finance Minister to pay all your outstanding certificates. It amounts to almost $78 million. You will be paid so that you can continue and finish the project, and even ahead of schedule,” he assured.
President Mahama expressed confidence in the contractor’s capacity to deliver the project early, given the pace of work observed on site, adding that completion of the road would significantly boost economic activity along the corridor.
He further stated that the project is expected to enhance movement of goods and people, strengthen Ghana’s position as a regional transport hub, and support trade across West Africa.
The President reiterated his government’s commitment to continuing all viable projects inherited from the previous administration, particularly those with strategic national importance.
“We will continue all projects we inherited. Contractors who were working on projects awarded by the previous government have been asked to continue, and we are paying them to ensure the works do not stall,” he said.
He explained that several inherited projects, including the Cape Coast–Takoradi road, have now been reclassified under the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure programme to accelerate financing and execution.
“We took some of the projects awarded by the previous government and put them under the Big Push so that financing would be fast-tracked and they can be completed properly,” President Mahama said.
