President John Mahama has reiterated that the government’s flagship Big Push infrastructure agenda is not designed for small-scale or unqualified contractors, describing it as a programme beyond the capacity of “wheelbarrow contractors”.

Speaking at First Sky Construction's 23rd Anniversary and Thanksgiving on Sunday, January 25, the President recounted how, after the launch of the Big Push Agenda, some individuals approached him seeking contracts.

He said he made it clear that the initiative was not intended for contractors who lack the technical and financial capacity to undertake large-scale infrastructure projects.

"When I cut the sod for the commencement of the Big Push project, we had qualified all the big companies with the capacities, and I was getting calls from all kind of people saying we heard you are distributing Big Push projects and so can you give me one of the projects and I said no, these projects are not wheelbarrow contractors," he said.

According to him, the Big Push Agenda demands firms with the expertise, resources and professionalism required to deliver complex and capital-intensive works.

"They are proper construction companies with capacity like First Sky, and we are all proud of the work First Sky is doing," he added.

The President further noted that his administration has strengthened Ghana’s construction sector over the years, enabling local contractors to build the capacity needed to compete internationally.

He expressed confidence that Ghanaian contractors are now better positioned to execute major infrastructure projects under the Big Push Agenda.