A heated debate erupted in Parliament on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, during the adoption of the appropriation for the Ministry of Roads & Highways, with the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, fiercely criticising the government for failing to pay road contractors while simultaneously allocating a massive GHS 5.3 billion for 2026 road construction, including the much-touted “Big Push” programme.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin accused the government of prioritising “flamboyance” and programme launches over settling legitimate debts owed to the private sector, warning that the non-payment is forcing businesses to collapse.
Contractor Payments and ‘Big Push’ Scrutiny
The Minority Leader delivered a sharp caution, urging the government to prioritise settling long-standing debts to contractors who, he claimed, have invested heavily in state projects but have not had their payment certificates honoured.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin was particularly critical of the new GHS 5.3 billion allocation, demanding accountability for funds previously reported as expended under the “Big Push” before the programme was officially launched in September.
Despite the Minority’s strong reservations, the House subsequently passed an allocation of GHS 5.3 Billion for the services and work of the Ministry in the 2026 fiscal year.
Majority Defends Project Execution and Debt Settlement
The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, countered the Minority’s assertions, insisting that the government is actively executing projects and has made substantial progress in settling inherited debt.
Further clarification came from the Minister of Roads & Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, who provided data on the government’s financial efforts.
The Minister revealed that the current NDC administration has already settled over GHS 6 billion in arrears inherited from the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
He acknowledged, however, that the newly approved GHS 5.3 billion budget allocation for 2026 is “inadequate” given the massive scale of the projects planned, including the continuation of the “Big Push” initiative.
The minister pointed to various “massive projects” currently underway to justify the government’s commitment to improving the country’s road network.
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