President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Finance to release US$78 million to JUSTMOH Construction to settle all outstanding payment certificates, clearing the way for the completion of the stalled Takoradi–Agona-Nkwanta road project.
The directive was announced on Saturday, December 12, during the President’s inspection of the delayed road works, which form part of the Trans–West African Highway linking Ghana to Côte d’Ivoire.
President Mahama attributed the prolonged delays to the failure of the previous Akufo-Addo administration to honour payment certificates raised by the contractor after the contract was awarded in 2024.
“Last week, I directed the Finance Minister to pay all your outstanding certificates, which amount to almost 78 million dollars, so that you can continue the project and complete it ahead of schedule,” he said.
According to the President, although JUSTMOH Construction was officially engaged to execute the project, no payments were made to support the work, significantly slowing progress on the critical highway.
He assured that the Takoradi–Agona-Nkwanta road, along with other abandoned or delayed infrastructure projects across the country, would be completed under his administration.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the N1 corridor, President Mahama noted that its completion would enhance trade and movement between Ghana and neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire, while opening up economic opportunities for communities along the route.
The President also addressed concerns about projects affected by the domestic debt exchange programme, explaining that contractors who remained on site despite financial constraints would be compensated.
“All those projects that were halted because of the debt exchange, the contractors stayed on site and continued some work to keep the projects alive. After January, the Minister will begin paying the additional costs they incurred and ask them to fully return to site to continue work,” he stated.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, who accompanied the President on the inspection tour, expressed appreciation for the government’s renewed commitment to completing key infrastructure projects in the region.
“On behalf of the chiefs and people of the Western Region, I want to thank you for keeping your promise to continue projects that were halted under the previous administration,” he said.
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