President Mahama Orders GH¢1B Payment to Contractors Before Christmas
President John Dramani Mahama has instructed the Ministry of Finance to release GH¢1 billion to settle debts owed to contractors by the state since 2017, with the disbursement expected to be completed before Christmas. He made the announcement on Sunday, December 21, during the sod-cutting ceremony for the Sunyani–Atronie–Acherensua Road Project in the Bono Region, which is part of the government’s Big Push infrastructure initiative. President Mahama stated that the Finance Minister, Dr. Ato Forson, has been directed to ensure all contractors, including families of deceased contractors, receive payment once the relevant documentation is submitted. He added that government audits are currently underway to verify outstanding claims, with particular focus on certified works carried out in previous years, including those from the former administration, and encouraged contractors to submit their certificates promptly to avoid delays. The President further assured that resources under the Big Push programme have been allocated to support the resumption and completion of stalled infrastructure projects nationwide. Speaking at the event, the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr. Nana Freduah Agyemang Badu II, welcomed the road project and called for strict supervision in other to ensure a high-quality workmanship, warning contractors against shoddy practices. President Mahama emphasized that the Sunyani–Atronie–Acherensua Road Project represents a major developmental boost for the Bono Region and reiterated the government’s commitment to clearing longstanding arrears while reviving abandoned projects across the country.
