He described the initiative as a “bold intervention” that goes beyond politics.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, September 16, Mr Agbodza acknowledged the heavy debt burden currently hanging over the Ministry, estimated at GH¢40 billion owed to contractors, but insisted that the government was committed to delivering results this time around.

“Mr President, if you come to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, we probably owe 40 billion Ghana cedis in debt to contractors,” he revealed.

“But when we went round the country, the 16 regions, it was difficult to see what the money was spent on.”

Mr Agbodza lauded President John Mahama for his leadership in pushing through what he called the largest single intervention in Ghana’s road sector.

“Despite all that, Mr President, you made a bold commitment to institute an intervention that will go down in history as the president that gave the biggest dose of intervention at a single time on our roads,” the Minister declared.

“The Big Push is not a campaign promise, it is a bold intervention by your government.”

Mr Agbodza moved to ease concerns about potential delays, emphasising the capability of the contractor handling the Afienya stretch.

“When we say we can do this project within four months, we mean business. The people of Greater Accra and Ga-Dangbe, don’t be worried,” he assured.

“The contractor that is on this stretch, I believe, can do this project in less than 24 months.”

The Minister further promised that Ghanaians would see tangible progress under the Big Push, with the government closely monitoring timelines and delivery.

“We shall implement Big Push, and the results will be there for everyone to see,” he said.

The government has allocated GH¢13.85 billion (US$892.9 million) for the Big Push programme.

There are 42 road projects under the Big Push Programme.

Source: Emmanuel Tetteh

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Speaking in an interview with Citi FM, Mr. Agbodza said a recent nationwide inspection uncovered a glaring gap between the reported progress on road infrastructure and the actual situation on the ground.

“More than 90% of contractors are not on site,” he stated. “They hold possession of the sites, but no work is being done.”

The Minister attributed the inactivity primarily to financial constraints.

He noted that while some contractors had started work and submitted interim payment certificates, delayed payments from the government had forced many to suspend operations.

“In many cases, to be fair to them, they’ve done some work and raised certificates. But because they haven’t been paid, they’ve either run out of funds and are idle on site, or they’ve completely abandoned the projects,” he explained.

Mr. Agbodza’s comments align with his earlier critique of the previous administration during the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House on July 30, where he questioned the accuracy of past infrastructure claims and emphasized the need for evidence-based assessments.

He assured the public that the current government is taking steps to resolve funding challenges and is committed to reviving stalled projects to improve national infrastructure.

Source: AdomOnline

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He made the remarks during the Government Accountability Series held at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, July 30.

Mr Agbodza noted that while significant investments had been promised in recent years, much of the country’s road network remains in disrepair, with large portions becoming nearly impassable, especially during the rainy season.

“Mr Speaker, Ghana’s road network is in a very deplorable state. Many of our roads across the country are filled with potholes, eroded surfaces and crumbling bridges,” he stated.

He attributed the situation to years of neglect, poor supervision of contracts, and inadequate maintenance culture, adding that his ministry had begun auditing existing road projects and infrastructure to determine areas requiring urgent intervention.

“The people deserve better. A functioning road network is not a luxury; it is a basic necessity for national development and economic productivity,” he said.

The Minister assured the public of his firm resolve to reverse the trend, stating that his team was working on a national prioritisation plan to ensure that critical road corridors receive attention based on traffic volume, economic importance, and regional equity.

“We are determined to ensure that the resources allocated to this sector produce visible, lasting results,” Mr Agbodza concluded.

Source: Ernest Arhinful

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Speaking after the vetting of minister-designates on Monday, January 20, Edem Agbana addressed discrepancies in the previous administration’s road construction claims.

He noted that while the former government boasted substantial achievements, the vetting revealed that less than 700 kilometers of roads had been completed, contradicting earlier assertions.

“The previous government made several claims about road infrastructure and the networks they constructed, but during the vetting, it became clear that less than 700 kilometers were built,” he stated.

Edem Agbana also praised Kwame Agbodza’s qualifications, highlighting his experience as a ranking member in the roads sector during the previous administration.

He expressed optimism that Agbodza would fulfill the government’s promises to significantly enhance road infrastructure under President John Mahama’s leadership.

“I am confident that the honourable minister-designate will effectively discharge his duties and ensure the construction of the road infrastructure we promised Ghanaians,” Agbana affirmed.

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During his vetting on Monday, January 20, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, raised concerns that Agbodza’s temperament could potentially impact his tenure if confirmed as minister.

In response, the Adaklu MP expressed a willingness to listen and adapt, emphasizing his readiness to maintain a balanced and professional demeanor.

“I want to thank colleagues for the feedback. I think it is important. They raised issues about my temperament, and you are right. When I believe in something, sometimes you tell me I should be mindful of the way I put it. I will work on it,” he assured.

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He said this would contribute to shaping the future of the district by improving its human resource capacity, transforming it from being labeled as the poorest and least developed among its peers in the country.

Speaking to Myjoyonline.com, he asserted that 43 classroom blocks have been constructed in various schools across the district, particularly helping to eradicate schools with fewer than three classrooms and other unfavorable structures.

“I completed the first classroom block before I became a Member of Parliament in 2012. Since then, I can now count about 41 individual school buildings. That is a lot of additions to what we came to meet,” he said.

He acknowledged Pencils of Promise for sponsoring the majority of the projects through an agreement under which he contributed 30% of the total building cost.

Mr. Agbodza also lauded other non-governmental organizations, such as Adanu, for their contributions to the achievement. Though he praised the efforts of the government of Ghana, he lamented that several government-sponsored projects have been abandoned.

One such project is a three-unit classroom block at the Adaklu Seva District Assembly Basic School, which is being funded by the government through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund).

Mr. Agbodza identified the lack of accommodation and the unwillingness of teachers to accept postings to deprived districts as major factors contributing to the inadequate number of teachers in the Adaklu District.

He hinted at undertaking a teacher’s bungalow project to ensure teachers are housed in communities near their respective schools to be closer to the pupils.

He added that he had instituted the Adaklu Teachers’ Pride Award to motivate teachers and staff in the district’s education sector and encourage them to continue giving their best.

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According to him, the declaration of four seats as vacant by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on Thursday, October 17, remains valid, as the affected members have shown no indication of rescinding their decision to contest as independent candidates.

Mr. Agbodza was speaking at a campaign rally in Adaklu in the Volta Region.

“I’ll be going to Parliament on Thursday as the Majority Chief Whip, and I’ll come back as Majority Chief Whip. As far as I am concerned, the four colleagues have vacated their seats in accordance with Article 97, since they are not going to renege on that decision not to contest, they are no longer valid Members of Parliament,” he emphasized.

Acting on a petition from Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu, invoking Article 97 (1)(g) of the 1992 constitution, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, declared four seats in Parliament vacant on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

The ruling led to the NDC side losing a member, reducing their seats to 136, while the NPP side lost 3 members, reducing their seats to 135, consequently throwing the House into uncertainty.

The NDC MP for Amenfi Central, Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah, was affected by the ruling, as well as the MP for Suhum in the Eastern Region, Kojo Asante, and Cynthia Morrison, who represented Agona West Constituency.

Andrew Amoakoh Asiamah, who won the Fomena seat as an independent candidate and later filed to contest the 2024 election on the ticket of the NPP, was also affected.

The Supreme Court, however, halted the Speaker’s decision on Friday, October 18th, through a ruling by a five-member panel of the court presided over by Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo. This followed an ex parte application by the Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin.

The ruling, which held that declaring the seats vacant goes against the rights of the constituents of the four affected Members of Parliament, has been objected to by the NDC caucus.

The Speaker of Parliament has since taken steps to get the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling.

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Kwame Agbodza argues that the current administration’s focus on routine maintenance, rehabilitation, and upkeep of existing roads is misleading and represents a significant drop in infrastructural progress compared to the previous administration.

In a statement, Agbodza asserted, “The claims of constructing 10,800 kilometres of new roads have proven to be unfounded. The government’s recent emphasis on routine maintenance and rehabilitation work over new road construction is a clear attempt to mask their failure to deliver on their promises.”

He further pointed out that President John Mahama’s administration achieved substantial road development with fewer resources. “Under President Mahama, despite the limited budget of approximately GHS 50 billion for the 2016 fiscal year, the road infrastructure delivered was far superior.

For comparison, the 2017 budget detailed 10,723.49 kilometres of trunk roads, 16,183 kilometres of feeder roads, and 9,384 kilometres of urban roads,” Agbodza highlighted.

In contrast, the 2024 budget report reveals a stark decrease in road infrastructure: 4,809 kilometres of trunk roads, 8,984 kilometres of feeder roads, and 2,318 kilometres of urban roads.

“This is a dramatic reduction in road infrastructure, and it shows that the current administration is delivering less value to Ghanaians despite claiming otherwise,” Agbodza stated.

The Minority Chief Whip emphasized that there is a discrepancy in the Akufo-Addo government’s claims on roads constructed versus the actual progress made.

“The comparison clearly shows that with less financial resources, President Mahama was able to deliver more robust road infrastructure than the current government.”

The Minority Chief Whip’s comments come on the back of the launch of the NPP’s election 2024 Manifesto on Sunday, August 18, where government officials including the Vice President claimed the current government has constructed unprecedented roads.

Source: Myjoyonline 

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Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza criticized the recall, stating “It was not done in good faith”.

Mr Agbodza says although the House will reconvene, the majority side will have the arduous task of meeting the quorum to commence the business of the day.

“I was surprised at the reaction of the Majority Leader… It was a needless reaction and if I see a list of universities to be established, tax waivers, how are these an emergency situation warranting a recall? Evidence for the past one or two months in the chamber as a whip, I notice my side is almost always more than them,” he said.

Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin has agreed to the recall, setting an emergency session for Tuesday, September 3, based on Mr Afenyo-Markin’s petition.

This follows the indefinite adjournment of the session on July 30, 2024.

Mr Agbodza, however, pointed out the inconvenience for parliamentary candidates who have upcoming nominations and other pre-campaign activities.

In a contrasting view, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh disagreed with his colleague and supported the recall, highlighting the importance of addressing critical government business before the election campaign period.

Despite acknowledging the exhaustion of members, he emphasized the necessity of the recall and urged cooperation between both sides to resolve the matter.

“I am not surprised by the reaction of the Minority that has been their position from day one so it is not surprising. There is a tall list of businesses to be prosecuted …suffix it to say, you know when we get back, we are heading towards election so this is a very good opportunity for us to dispense this critical government business. So this recall is important,” he stressed.

Source: Emma Ankrah

He noted that, the region has consistently been a strong base of support for the party, which has enabled substantial development under NDC leadership.

Speaking at the launch of the NDC’s election campaign in Tamale on Saturday, July 27, Mr. Agbodza highlighted the party’s ongoing commitment to the region’s progress.

He assured that, under a potential John Mahama administration, the Northern Region would witness further advancements.

The Adaklu MP commended the NDC’s efforts in promoting regional growth and affirmed that the party is the best choice for continued development in the Northern Region.

“The Northern Region is one of the most significant regions in our party history. Our flagbearer comes from this area, we have a lot of support where we have focused efforts on lifting our people out of poverty in this region through the provision of critical interventions in the past. We are going to do more in the future.”

“The most significant things you can see in this region, the roads, the airport, and everything have been part of this, intervention in water supply and agriculture. However, there is a lot more we need to do, God willing, when President Mahama becomes the president.”

“We know our opponents have been trying to derail us here, but we are going to do whatever it is to get them to focus on our messages,” he stated.

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According to the Adaklu MP, Godfred Yeboah Dame has brought the office into disrepute and must be removed to uphold the integrity of that office.

Speaking to JoyNews‘ Kwaku Asante on May 29, Mr Agbodza insisted that there are several other members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) who were qualified and have integrity to occupy the position.

“There are so many people in the NPP who can occupy the high position of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame is the last person that should occupy that position.

“His lack of understanding of procurement issues, his lack of decorum, lack of integrity is daring,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the party is considering filing a motion to impeach the Attorney-General when the House resumes.

“Certainly. This is a very serious matter that must not be left to go. You can see all the things he said, he even said things that are very incriminating. He claimed that he was entrapped. In fact, he suggested the venue for the meeting so who wants to have this person as an Attorney-General,” he quizzed.

On May 28, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at a press conference played a 16-minute audio recording claiming to a conversation between Godfred Yeboah Dame and the third accused in the ambulance procurement trial, Richard Jakpa.

The party claims that the tape confirms that indeed Mr Dame had attempted to make Mr Jakpa indict the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and the audio was proof.

However, the governing NPP has refuted the allegations, claiming the tape was doctored and manipulated to implicate the Attorney-General.

Also, a private legal practitioner, Bobby Banson, has said the governing party must produce the original tape if it insists the tape in the public is doctored.

Banson asserted that, if he were in the Attorney General’s position, he would have resigned as a means of preserving the credibility of the office.

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They argue that, government appears indifferent to the extensive damage occurring along the coast.

Since the start of the year, strong ocean currents have swept away both businesses and residential properties, rendering thousands of southern Volta region residents homeless.

A group of MPs, led by Emmanuel Bedzrah, the leader of the Volta NDC MPs, and Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip visited the affected communities in the Anlo, Keta, and Ketu South Municipalities and stressed the urgent need for action.

Member of Parliament for the Adaklu constituency, Governs Kwame Agbodza said NDC’s support for the government hinges on its commitment to include the Keta Sea Defense Project in its 2024 budget.

“Bawumia is busily looking for votes and does not even care about the people that are going to vote for him and God willing, he will not be a President…if we don’t see anything in the 2024 budget, then forget it, he will not get our support for anything at all” he said in an interview on Citi News

Also, the MP for Ketu South constituency, Abla Dzifa Gomashie appealed to government to activate the West African Coastline Management Area Resilient Fund to expedite the completion of the sea defence project.

“I am told that the World Bank and the IMF have some arrangements with Benin and Togo for the West African Coastline Management Area Resilient Fund. Why is our country not participating in that exercise, why are we not applying for it so we save the coastline of our shores?” she quizzed.

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President Akufo-Addo, while delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament on Wednesday, touted that the record of his government in the road sector was unmatched.

The President noted his administration has built more roads than any other government in the history of Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

Reacting to the statement, the Adaklu MP who doubles as the Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee said the assertions were an unfortunate fabrication.

The lawmaker stated the attempt to expropriate his government is most scandalising and such dishonesty must be called out and condemned by all.

He explained careful scrutiny of Akufo-Addo’s record in the roads sector as contained in the annexed document presented to Parliament, exposes this lie.

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But the Ministry in a statement also indicated the issues as presented by Mr Agbodza contain some inaccuracies and do not represent the full facts.

To ensure transparency and accountability to the people of Ghana, the ministry in the statement listed some road projects executed by the incumbent government.

“The public is assured that in the spirit of transparency and accountability, the Ministry will continue to provide accurate information on road projects to the good people of Ghana,” the statement read.

Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has given friendly advice to his colleague, Governs Kwame Agbodza, who has been elevated as a Minority Chief Whip.

This was during the first sitting after Parliament reconvened on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, from the Christmas and New Year break.

The new Minority Leader, Dr Ato Forson, and his Deputy, Armah Kofi Buah, as well as the Whip, Governs Kwami Agbodza who have replaced Haruna Iddrisu, Dr James Avedzie and Muntaka Mubarak, respectively took their new seats after the Speaker announced the changes effected by the National Democratic Congress.

In a submission on the floor, the Effutu MP, Mr Afenyo-Markin, claimed the Adaklu MP interjected him but the latter reprimanded him that that attitude is expected to be a thing of the past, considering his new status in the house.

Mr Afenyo-Markin admonished his colleague to learn fast and adapt to the changes that come with his new position.

In a video from the proceedings which has gone viral on social media, Mr Afenyo-Markin cautioned his colleague he must learn fast.

“Agbodza now you’re here. You don’t do this! Mr Speaker, look at honourable Agbodza the new Chief Whip. The new Chief Whip is bringing that his bad backbench misbehaviour to the frontbench. You shouldn’t do this.

“Keep quiet. When I am done, you seek Mr Speaker’s audience then you rebut. That is the way you do it. Agbodza you must learn fast oo. Mr Speaker has already advised you,” he cautioned.

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The reshuffling resulted in agitation which but for the intervention of former President John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress Council of Elders threw the party in turmoil.

Watch the video above: