CRCI Urge Bawumiah To Implement 3% GDP Proposal for Road Construction Now
In a bold call to action, Emmanuel Cherry, CEO of the Chamber of Road Construction Industry (CRCI), has urged Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to kickstart the implementation of his proposal to allocate three percent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) exclusively for road construction.
Cherry emphasized that the time for action is now, with the Vice President already in a position of power to make the change.
Speaking at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Ghana Highways Authority, Vice President Bawumia championed his 3% GDP proposal as a crucial step towards addressing road sector challenges.
He outlined how reallocating government expenditure to favor the private sector would unlock new funding opportunities and enhance project implementation through public-private partnerships.
However, in response to this initiative, Cherry questioned why the NPP flagbearer had not already implemented such a plan during his seven-year tenure in government.
He highlighted the pressing need for a payment schedule to address the government’s outstanding debts to construction industry members, expressing disappointment over the lack of progress following engagements with the Vice President and Finance Minister.
In defense of the proposal, Dr. Gideon Boako, aide to Vice President Bawumia, commended the policy as a forward-thinking approach to build on the current government’s achievements in road infrastructure development.
He urged stakeholders to approach the issue with intellectual rigor and acknowledged the need for continuous vision and innovation in governance.
The exchange between Cherry and Dr. Boako underscores the urgency and complexity of road construction financing in Ghana, as industry players seek concrete solutions to sustain their businesses and drive national infrastructure progress.
The challenge now lies in bridging the gap between promises and implementation to ensure tangible improvements in the road sector under the NPP government’s leadership.