Ashaiman-Afienya-Atimpoku Road to Get New Funding Lifeline Through Big Push Programme

The long-awaited Ashaiman-Afienya-Atimpoku road project is set to receive a critical funding boost after the government announced plans to migrate the project onto its flagship Big Push infrastructure programme, a move that could finally unlock the resources needed to complete one of Ghana's most strategically important highway corridors.

The disclosure was made by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Agbodza, indicating that the project, currently being executed by German construction firm INZAG GmbH, has faced financing gaps that have slowed progress. By bringing it under the Big Push umbrella, the government hopes to channel dedicated capital into the remaining works and push the road towards completion.

What is the Big Push Programme?

The Big Push programme is a government-led infrastructure investment initiative designed to accelerate the delivery of major capital projects across Ghana, particularly in road construction and rehabilitation. The programme is intended to address the perennial problem of abandoned or stalled infrastructure projects by consolidating funding streams and prioritising high-impact corridors.

Migrating the Ashaiman-Afienya-Atimpoku project onto this platform signals that authorities view the route as a priority investment — one that justifies the additional administrative and financial effort required to restructure its funding arrangements. It also reflects a broader government strategy of using the Big Push framework to rescue projects that have stalled due to funding shortfalls under previous financing arrangements.

Why it matters for Ghana

The Ashaiman-Afienya-Atimpoku corridor is far more than a local road. It forms a vital link in Ghana's national highway network, connecting the densely populated Greater Accra Region — including the rapidly growing Ashaiman municipality — through the Eastern Region towards the Volta Region and beyond. Heavy commercial traffic, including goods heading to and from the Tema Port, regularly uses sections of this route, making its condition a direct concern for trade, logistics and the cost of doing business in Ghana.

For residents of Ashaiman, Afienya and surrounding communities, the road's completion would mean significantly reduced travel times, lower vehicle maintenance costs, and improved access to markets, schools and health facilities. The corridor also has implications for road safety, as poor road surfaces are a known contributor to Ghana's troublingly high rate of road traffic accidents.

• Improved connectivity along this route could ease congestion on other Greater Accra arterial roads, providing knock-on benefits for commuters across the region.
• Businesses operating in the Tema industrial enclave and the port ecosystem stand to benefit from smoother freight movement along a completed corridor.
• Farmers and traders in communities between Afienya and Atimpoku could see reduced post-harvest losses as goods reach markets more efficiently.

What happens next

The migration of the project onto the Big Push programme will require formal budgetary and administrative steps, and it remains to be seen how quickly funding can be mobilised and construction activity ramped up. INZAG GmbH's continued role as contractor will also need to be confirmed under the new financing structure.

Roads Minister Agbodza has in recent months been vocal about the government's intent to tackle the backlog of incomplete road projects inherited from previous administrations. The Ashaiman-Afienya-Atimpoku route is among several high-profile corridors being reviewed for restructured funding. Ghanaians living along the route and transport operators will be watching closely to see whether this latest announcement translates into visible construction activity on the ground in the coming months.