He reiterated that the acting Chief Justice had agreed to set up specialised courts to fast-track the prosecution of individuals who misappropriate public funds, as would be highlighted in the Auditor-General's reports. 

The President cited a shocking example where "the staff of a hospital attended a person's funeral and after that continued paying him for 26 months."

The GIP, initially developed during his previous term in 2016 and revised in 2019, subsequently shelved, has been revived as the central framework for the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure initiative.

Linking the plan to the country’s historical legacy, President Mahama reflected on Kwame Nkrumah’s seven-year development plan from 1963, which recognised infrastructure as the foundation for a modern, industrialised nation.

“He built roads, railways, schools and energy systems to connect our people and unlock Ghana’s productive potential. That vision was bold, it was patriotic and transformative, and it remains timeless even today,” the President stated.

He, however, noted a sobering reality, citing the 2024 National Annual Progress Report by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), which revealed over GH¢70 billion in cost overruns across 18,000 capital projects, many of which were delayed or abandoned.

“We inherited Nkrumah’s dream, but we have yet to fulfil its promise. The Ghana Infrastructure Plan marks a strategic reset,” he said.

New plan

The President outlined the core objectives of the GIP, which included promoting balanced regional development, developing multi-sector linkages, and implementing legal and institutional reforms to ensure continuity across governments.

He strongly criticised the geographical imbalance in national development, lamenting the dissolution of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) and its replacement with development authorities that have had “no impact, absolutely.”

To address this, he proposed the establishment of an agro-industrial park in the northern part of the country, with incentives to redirect foreign investors from Accra to create jobs and opportunities for the youth in the north.

The "Big Push"

The government’s “Big Push” initiative, the President explained, was the first instalment of the GIP. 

It focuses on completing abandoned and delayed projects, in line with Article 35 (7) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates successive governments to continue projects started by their predecessors.

“The ‘Big Push’ is not about spending more; it is about spending wisely,” he asserted, adding that every cedi spent must be guided by the GIP’s priorities to ensure value for money and long-term impact.

He highlighted three strategic projects under the new framework: the Green Digital City transformation hub, the expansion of water systems in Kumasi, Tamale, Sogakope, and Ho, and the development of strategic road and transport corridors.