President Akufo-Addo has said this year’s Christmas is going to be great for Ghanaians.
According to the President, the money paid to contractors recently will add to the improvement in the “system” that will make the yuletides great for Ghanaians.
He was speaking to market women and traders at Okaishie on Tuesday, 3 December 2019 as part of his tour of the capital.
“We have started paying contractors”, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering, suggesting that the overall effect of the payment is to boost the economy and make money available for the Christmas.
“This will improve the cash flow of our contractors, and ensure that those who had left their construction sites return to complete their projects” he added.
“Some of your husbands who are involved have been paid, so, if they have not made you aware, kindly tell them that I say they have been paid”.
“They [your husbands] are aware [of payments] so, this Christmas promises to be great for you traders and for all of us”.
“The good news does not end here”, President Akufo-Addo said on “The Ministry of Finance has released GHS2.2 billion to the Ministry of Roads and Highways for payment for works done by road contractors across the country”.
The Government three months ago asked all road contractors to return to site and ensure successful completion of all their abandoned road projects following the acquisition of GH?2.2 billion by the Ministry of Roads and Highways to pay all debts owed road contractors
In a statement released by the Ministry and signed by the sector Minister, Kwasi Amoako Attah, GH¢1 billion of the money will be used to pay for Government of Ghana contracts, while the GH¢1.2 billion will be paid into the Road Fund to settle other debts.
“The government has secured an amount of GHs 2.2 billion to defray part of arrears owed to road contractors. The Ministry of Roads and Highways wishes to state that, out of the total amount of GHs 2.2 billion, GHs 1billion will be paid to contractors funded through the consolidated fund. The remaining GHs 1.2 billion will be paid to contractors funded from the Ghana Road Fund.”
“Disbursement has already started and is expected to be completed within a month. It is worthy to note that, this is an unprecedented bulk payment to contractors in the entire history of the road sector. We take this opportunity to appeal to all our contractors to return to their projects and ensure successful completion”, portions of the statement read.