A senior project engineering expert has commended the President of the Republic, His Excellency the President, for the government’s bold and transformative Big Push Initiative, particularly its unprecedented investment in nationwide road and infrastructure development.
In a formal press statement dated December 26, 2025, Engr. Surv. Dr. Dr. Ebenezer Gyamera, Southern Sector Chairman of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Ghana and Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, described the initiative as a demonstration of visionary leadership with the potential to drive economic growth, enhance regional integration, create jobs, and improve access to essential social services across the country.
While commending the scale and pace of ongoing road construction works, Dr. Gyamera emphasized the need for proactive measures to address the social, environmental, and technical challenges associated with massive infrastructure development, in order to strengthen public safety, boost confidence, and ensure long-term sustainability.
He outlined the following key areas requiring urgent attention:
1. Dust Pollution and Public Health
Dr. Gyamera noted that extensive earthworks and pavement construction generate significant dust, particularly in urban and peri-urban communities. Prolonged exposure, he warned, poses serious respiratory health risks, disrupts businesses, and diminishes quality of life. He recommended regular water spraying, strict enforcement of environmental management plans, and enhanced monitoring of contractor compliance.
2. Utility Lines and Services
According to the statement, road construction frequently interferes with underground and overhead utilities such as water pipelines, electricity lines, fiber optic cables, and sewer systems. Dr. Gyamera urged improved coordination with utility service providers prior to construction, supported by accurate utility mapping, to minimize service disruptions and costly reworks.
3. Alternative Routes and Traffic Management
Construction activities, he observed, often lead to congestion and extended travel times. The provision of clearly marked and well-maintained alternative routes, supported by effective traffic signage and public information campaigns, was identified as critical to reducing inconvenience to road users and commercial transport operators.
4. Pedestrian Crossings and Road Safety
Dr. Gyamera expressed concern that many road projects pass through densely populated settlements without adequate pedestrian crossings. He stressed that the absence of temporary and permanent crossings exposes residents—particularly children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—to significant safety risks. He therefore called for the provision of footbridges, zebra crossings, walkways, and traffic-calming measures.
5. Protection of Surveying Pillars and Geodetic Controls
The statement also highlighted the destruction of national survey pillars and geodetic control points during road construction due to poor identification. Describing these as critical national assets for land administration, mapping, and infrastructure development, Dr. Gyamera recommended mandatory collaboration with licensed surveyors and the Lands Commission to identify, protect, or re-establish such markers where necessary.
6. Stakeholder Engagement and Community Relations
Dr. Gyamera further emphasized the importance of early and continuous engagement with traditional authorities, local assemblies, professional bodies, and affected communities. He noted that transparent communication on project timelines, compensation, access arrangements, and safety measures would promote project ownership, reduce conflicts, and strengthen public trust in the Big Push Initiative.
He reaffirmed his support, and that of allied professionals, for government efforts aimed at delivering sustainable, inclusive, and professionally executed infrastructure development across Ghana.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Women in Engineering at IET Ghana, Engr. Mrs. Adjoa Aginba Tetteh Gyamera, urged contractors and government agencies implementing the Big Push Initiative to place greater emphasis on women’s participation in the programme. She observed that the number of women in the engineering profession continues to grow and called for deliberate efforts to encourage their involvement in a field traditionally dominated by men, citing their strong attention to detail and technical competence as valuable contributions to national development.
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