Ghana's Big Push Job Claims Lack Verification, Says CPS
The Centre for Policy Scrutiny challenges government's 490,000 job target for infrastructure projects, citing insufficient data and slow project progress.
Adwoa Mensah-Bonsu | StatsGH |
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The Big Push programme aims to accelerate infrastructure delivery and stimulate economic activity. It focuses on investments in roads, transport links, and industrial facilities. Government officials have presented the programme as a significant source of employment for young people, construction workers, and engineers. However, CPS argues that these claims require evidence showing the number, location, and duration of jobs created.
This assessment comes as Ghana navigates its economic recovery and seeks to address high youth unemployment. Infrastructure development is a key component of the nation's long-term growth strategy. The government has consistently highlighted the job creation potential of these large-scale projects. The CPS report, presented during its assessment of Ghana’s 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in public spending.
Dr. Prince Adjei, a labour economist with CPS, stated that the government has not published a credible monitoring framework. This framework would identify the number, duration, and quality of jobs attributable to the programme. Dr. Adjei noted, “The promise was 490,000 jobs, but as of the mid-year review we do not have verifiable data to confirm that these jobs have actually been created.” This lack of data makes it difficult to assess the true impact of the Big Push on Ghana’s labour market.
The implications of this report are significant for public confidence and future policy decisions. Without clear data, the government faces challenges in demonstrating the effectiveness of its infrastructure investments. Decision-makers and the public will be watching for a more robust reporting mechanism. This mechanism should differentiate between temporary construction jobs and more permanent employment opportunities. The credibility of future job creation targets depends on improved data collection and disclosure.
CPS also highlighted that only 28 of the 87 Big Push projects assessed had progressed beyond 25.00% completion. The remaining 59 projects were still below this threshold, indicating early stages of implementation. For instance, the Accra–Kumasi Expressway, projected to create 80,000 jobs, remains largely at the preparatory stage. Right-of-way clearance and other preliminary activities are still ongoing. At this stage, any employment generated is likely substantially lower than the total projected over the project’s construction cycle.
The distinction between projected and actual jobs is crucial. Estimates made before construction are projections, not confirmed labour-market outcomes. A credible evaluation would compare actual workers employed against forecasts, including subcontractors and indirect economic activity. CPS noted similar disclosure gaps in other government employment initiatives. These include agricultural enclave roads, agro-processing facilities, and apprenticeship programmes. These initiatives also lack sufficient data on job numbers, worker categories, and job duration.
Infrastructure investment can create direct, indirect, and induced jobs. Direct jobs involve engineers and labourers on the project. Indirect jobs arise from suppliers of materials like cement and steel. Induced jobs emerge when workers spend their incomes in local communities. Combining these categories without explanation risks overstating immediate employment outcomes. Temporary construction jobs may disappear after project completion. Permanent jobs depend on whether the completed asset supports sustained economic activity. CPS urges the government to shift its reporting focus from budget allocations to actual job creation and impact.