2026 Mid-Year Budget Review: Nii Lante touts over 5,000 jobs created under DRIP ahead of presentation

Former National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has revealed that the initiative created about 5,260 jobs, describing it as one of the government's most impactful interventions in promoting employment through infrastructure development.

According to him, the jobs generated under the programme were part of broader government efforts to provide sustainable employment opportunities and improve road infrastructure across the country.

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Speaking on Channel One TV's Breakfast Daily on Thursday, July 23, 2026, ahead of the presentation of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, Vanderpuye called on Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to present Parliament with comprehensive data on the number of jobs created under the government's flagship programmes, particularly the Big Push initiative.

"I'll be happy if the minister comes to give accurate data on all the people who have gotten jobs under the Big Push. I don't think that should be difficult to do. All the contractors can tell you the number of people they have employed," he said.

Vanderpuye argued that the government's infrastructure agenda is already yielding tangible results, noting that ongoing projects across the country have created employment for thousands of Ghanaians.

"You travel to the east of the country, there are Big Push projects. To the west, Big Push. To the north, Big Push. All these contractors have employed Ghanaians, and they are working," he stated.

Beyond the Big Push initiative, he highlighted other government programmes that, in his view, have contributed significantly to job creation. He cited the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) as well as land reclamation projects being undertaken through the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).

"I'm happy that under the NEIP jobs have been created. I'm happy that through the Minerals Income Investment Fund, jobs have been created with people undertaking land reclamation. Even at my outfit alone, we created almost 5,260 jobs," he disclosed.

While acknowledging that the government may not fully meet its overall employment targets, Vanderpuye maintained that the jobs being created under these initiatives are more sustainable because they are tied to long-term infrastructure and development projects rather than short-term interventions.

His comments come as expectations grow ahead of the presentation of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, with many Ghanaians anticipating updates on the government's economic performance, infrastructure projects, and progress on job creation.

NA/VPO

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