Ghana's government has allocated GHS 400 million to procure high-capacity buses for state-owned transport companies. This investment aims to improve public transportation across the country, enhancing services for commuters.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced this initiative during the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament yesterday. The new buses will bolster the fleets of Metro Mass Transit (MMT) and the State Transport Company (STC). This move addresses growing demand for mass transit and seeks to ease pressure on the existing transport system.
This transport sector investment is part of a broader government strategy to modernize infrastructure and expand access to quality services. The goal is to support overall economic growth. The government is also making significant strides in energy security and infrastructure development.
Dr. Forson reported that reforms in the upstream petroleum sector have attracted over US$3.5 billion in new investment commitments. These investments are from partners in the Jubilee and Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) oil fields. As a result, production at the Jubilee Field has increased from a projected 68,000 barrels to about 95,000 barrels per day. Gas output has also risen from 245 million to 282 million standard cubic feet per day.
The government's Gas-to-Power Strategy has generated substantial savings. This strategy saved GHS 3.08 billion (US$268.5 million) in fuel costs during the first half of 2026. These savings are largely due to increased reliance on natural gas instead of more expensive light crude oil for power generation.
On infrastructure, work has commenced on 87 road and bridge projects under the Big Push Infrastructure Programme. These projects span all 16 regions of Ghana. Preparations for the 176-kilometre Accra-Kumasi Expressway are also well advanced, with US$1.7 billion already secured in a dedicated account at the Bank of Ghana.
The Minister also revealed plans for a 3.6-kilometre bridge across the Afram River between Adawso and Ekye Amanfrom. This bridge, expected to be completed by the end of 2028, will replace existing ferry services. It will be Ghana's longest bridge, providing a safe, all-weather crossing and linking the Kwahu Afram Plains to the national road network. This project will unlock significant economic opportunities in the area, making it easier for farmers to transport produce to markets and improving access to essential services.
Work on the Dambai Bridge, part of the Eastern Corridor, is progressing steadily. This project, which includes a 1.49-kilometre bridge and approximately 6.8 kilometres of approach roads, reached six per cent completion by the end of June, slightly ahead of schedule. Additionally, the Agricultural Enclave Roads Programme has begun, investing US$523 million to rehabilitate 1,050 kilometres of feeder roads across four major agricultural corridors in 13 regions. This programme aims to improve connectivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and create about 25,000 direct and indirect jobs, including at least 7,500 for women.
The government remains committed to sustained investment in transport, energy, and road infrastructure. These efforts aim to improve service delivery, stimulate economic growth, and create employment opportunities nationwide.