Japan Reaffirms Commitment To Fund Volivo Bridge Under Mahama’s $10bn “Big Push” Agenda

Japan has reaffirmed its strong commitment to funding the construction of the long-awaited Volivo Bridge over the Volta Lake—a vital project under Ghana’s Eastern Corridor road network and a flagship initiative of President John Dramani Mahama’s $10 billion “Big Push” development agenda.

The assurance was delivered on Tuesday, June 3, during a courtesy visit by Miyazaki Katsura, Senior Executive Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to President Mahama at the Jubilee House.

“We are happy that the Volivo Bridge project is captured under the Big Push initiative,” said Mr. Katsura, expressing JICA’s readiness to work closely with the Japanese government to move the project forward. He confirmed that a technical team would soon be dispatched to Ghana to evaluate the scope of work and any additional funding needs.

Bridge to Transform Eastern Corridor Trade and Travel

The proposed Volivo Bridge is envisioned as a critical transportation link across the Volta Lake, which currently presents a major bottleneck in north-south mobility. Once completed, the bridge will enhance trade, facilitate movement, and significantly improve connectivity between the southern and northern regions of Ghana.

Its construction marks a cornerstone of Mahama’s ambitious “Big Push” strategy, which seeks to invest $2 billion annually over five years into priority infrastructure—spanning roads, bridges, health, and education.

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JICA’s Continued Engagement with Ghana

Japan’s renewed pledge builds upon earlier commitments secured by President Mahama during his first term in office, when he held bilateral talks with Japanese officials in Tokyo regarding key infrastructure collaborations.

This renewed commitment signals both continuity and confidence in the Mahama administration’s long-term infrastructure roadmap and strengthens Ghana–Japan diplomatic and development ties.

Mahama to Attend TICAD IX in Tokyo

In a further sign of deepening bilateral engagement, President Mahama has accepted an invitation to attend the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IX) in August 2025. He intends to use the occasion to firm up negotiations around the Volivo Bridge financing and finalize timelines for implementation.

Strategic Boost for Regional Development

Infrastructure experts say the Volivo Bridge project is a game-changer for Ghana’s Eastern Corridor. Beyond easing domestic travel, the bridge is projected to stimulate regional trade, particularly with Togo, Burkina Faso, and northern Côte d’Ivoire—cementing Ghana’s role as a logistics hub in West Africa.

The project also symbolizes President Mahama’s belief that infrastructure must be the foundation of economic transformation, job creation, and inclusive growth.