• Mahama’s GH₵1bn Promise to Contractors Faces Backlash as Industry Claims Funds Yet to Reach Members
• Construction Chamber Questions Government’s Commitment Over Delayed GH₵1bn Contractor Payments
• GH₵1bn Directive Under Scrutiny as Contractors Say Financial Relief Remains Elusive
What was announced as a major financial intervention to ease pressure on contractors across the country is yet to fully materialise, according to the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GhCCI).
In December 2025, President John Dramani Mahama directed the Ministry of Finance to release GH₵1 billion to contractors owed for projects executed since 2017. The announcement, made during a sod-cutting ceremony under the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme, came with assurances that the funds would be disbursed before Christmas.
Months after that directive, however, concerns are mounting within the construction sector. The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry says many of its members have not received payments linked to the president’s instruction. The chamber maintains that while the announcement raised hopes within the industry, the actual flow of funds to affected contractors remains unclear.
GhCCI President Emmanuel Cherry has indicated that although the government’s ongoing validation of contracts and Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) is necessary to ensure accountability and eliminate irregularities, contractors are facing severe financial strain due to continued delays. According to the chamber, several firms are struggling to meet payroll obligations, settle supplier debts, and keep projects running because expected payments have not arrived.
The chamber has further stressed that the GH₵1 billion, even if fully disbursed, represents only a fraction of the total arrears owed to contractors nationwide. With billions of cedis reportedly tied up in unpaid road and infrastructure projects, industry players argue that the amount falls short of what is required to significantly stabilise the sector.
On the government’s side, officials insist that payments are being made as part of a broader effort to clear outstanding arrears. The Minister for Roads and Highways recently stated that substantial sums have already been paid to road contractors following audit and validation exercises. He dismissed claims that government has failed to honour its commitments, emphasising that due process is being followed to protect public funds.
Despite these assurances, many contractors say the impact on the ground has been limited. Delayed payments continue to affect project timelines, worker retention, and overall productivity in the construction space. Industry observers warn that prolonged uncertainty could lead to stalled infrastructure works, job losses, and increased costs to the state if contracts have to be renegotiated.
As pressure builds, stakeholders are calling for greater transparency regarding how the GH₵1 billion directive is being implemented, which contractors have been paid, and what timelines exist for clearing the remaining arrears. For now, the construction industry remains in a holding pattern, awaiting concrete evidence that the promised relief has truly reached those it was intended to support.
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