Agbodza Explains Why Some Road Projects Will No Longer Depend on Foreign Loans

Ghana’s road development plans could be heading in a new direction after the Minister of Roads and Highways, Governs Agbodza, announced plans to move the funding of some road projects from foreign loans to the government’s Big Push programme.

The minister explained that delays in securing loans from foreign countries have affected the progress of some projects. He believes Ghana can now use its own resources to finance the affected roads instead of continuing to wait for external funding.

The announcement raises an important question about how the government intends to finance major infrastructure projects at a time when many communities are still calling for better roads.

For years, Ghana has relied on foreign loans and support from development partners to undertake major road projects. However, securing such funding can involve lengthy negotiations and other conditions. When the money is delayed, contractors may struggle to continue work, leaving projects unfinished and road users frustrated.

Agbodza’s latest position suggests that the government wants to reduce its dependence on this process for some projects. By bringing them under the Big Push programme, the administration hopes to provide funding through its own arrangements and improve the chances of getting work moving again.

The Big Push is one of President John Dramani Mahama’s major infrastructure programmes. It is intended to support road and bridge construction across the country, while also helping to address projects that have suffered from funding problems.

In March 2026, Agbodza told Parliament that 23 road projects valued at GH¢14.88 billion, which were awarded under the previous administration but later abandoned because of funding difficulties, had been absorbed into the Big Push with a new funding source.

The government has also made a major financial commitment to the programme. Its 2026 Budget allocated GH¢30 billion for the Big Push Infrastructure Programme, showing the scale of resources being directed towards infrastructure development.

However, moving projects from foreign loans to domestic funding will also come with questions that the government must address. Ghanaians will want to know which projects are affected, how much money will be required and whether the government can release the funds on time.

There will also be concerns about whether the new funding arrangement can prevent contractors from abandoning sites because of delayed payments. A change in the source of funding will only make a real difference if the money reaches the projects when it is needed.