The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GHCCI) has called on President John Dramani Mahama and his administration to fulfill their promise to release GH₵40 billion to settle arrears owed to contractors.

The call comes after President Mahama announced that his government was putting measures in place to disburse the funds before the end of July 2025.

Speaking in an interview on Peace FM on September 1, 2025, the Vice Chairman of GHCCI, Nana Opare Kwafo II, commended the President for the initiative but lamented that contractors are yet to receive any official communication or assurance regarding the payment.

He noted that many members of the Chamber are struggling financially, with some losing their properties, others unable to pay medical bills and many others unable to afford their children’s school fees.

He pleaded with President Mahama to urgently intervene to ensure that the funds are disbursed.

“We heard the promise from the President and we were happy but now we are sad because if you promise us something and you haven’t fulfilled it, at least you have to give us an update,” Nana Kwafo said.

“From January he (Mahama) has been doing well to fulfill some of his promises but his promise to contractors was made two months ago and we have not heard anything since then. We are confused and some of our members are frustrated because there is no money to take care of their households. It is very difficult for us now,” he added.

Nana Kwafo further stressed that the Chamber strongly believes that the government has made provisions for the payment and urged the administration to put in place proper mechanisms to ensure that the funds reach the rightful beneficiaries.

The association has called on the government to expedite the process to save them from further financial distress.

It would be recalled that, President John Dramani Mahama announced that the government will begin clearing debts owed to road contractors by the end of July 2025.

According to him, the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has allocated funds for the payment of outstanding arrears.

Speaking during a meeting with the Council of State at the Presidency on Monday, July 7, 2025, President Mahama said the payments would enable contractors to return to project sites and resume delayed infrastructure works.

“Payment is set to begin at the end of this month. The Minister of Finance has set aside funds to start clearing the arrears owed to contractors. I’m confident that some of the contractors working on your projects will be paid and can return to site to continue their work,” he stated.

The planned disbursement comes in response to threats by contractors working on the Ofankor road, who announced plans to stage a demonstration on Saturday, July 8, 2025, over delayed payments.

Government to settle debts owed to road contractors – President Mahama

The total outstanding debt owed to road contractors is estimated at approximately GH¢40 billion.

On the other hand, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, revealed during his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 20, 2025, that the previous Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration left behind a GH¢135 billion debt in the road sector.

He noted that the amount included a GH¢100 billion commitment debt, GH¢20 billion in unpaid certificates for roads executed and expected to be paid by the Government of Ghana (GoG) and GH¢15 billion in certificates lodged with the Road Fund.

AM/VPO

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