President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Finance to release US$78 million to JUSTMOH Construction to settle all outstanding payment certificates, a move expected to unlock the completion of the long-delayed Takoradi–Agona Nkwanta road project.
The directive was announced when the President inspected ongoing works on the project, which forms a key segment of the Trans–West African Highway connecting Ghana to Côte d’Ivoire.
President Mahama attributed the 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.
He explained that although JUSTMOH Construction was duly contracted to undertake the project, the absence of payments significantly slowed work on the highway.
The President assured residents that the Takoradi–Agona Nkwanta road, along with other stalled or abandoned infrastructure projects nationwide, would be completed under his administration.
Emphasising the strategic importance of the N1 corridor, President Mahama said its completion would boost trade and ease movement between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, while stimulating economic activity in communities along the route.
He also addressed concerns surrounding projects affected by the domestic debt exchange programme, noting that contractors who remained on site despite financial challenges would be duly 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 during the inspection, welcomed the renewed commitment to infrastructure development 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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