President Mahama Explains How Wives and Sidechicks Benefit from the Big Push | Discuss Ghana

In one of the most talked-about moments of the 2026 Kwahu Business Forum, President John Dramani Mahama used a candid and humorous analogy on Saturday, April 4, 2026, to explain the "multiplier effect" of government infrastructure spending.

While addressing a high-level gathering of entrepreneurs and investors, the President argued that the Big Push Project—the administration's flagship GH¢30.8 billion infrastructure initiative—creates a wealth chain that reaches every corner of society, including "wives and sidechicks".

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The "Sidechick" Economics Explained

The President's remarks were intended to illustrate how public funds move from large contracts down to the informal sector and individual households:

The Wealth Chain: President Mahama explained that when the government pays contractors for the "Big Push" projects, that money doesn't stay with the companies. It goes to engineers, steel benders, and laborers.

The Personal Connection:

“And even the spouses, the wives, and the sidechicks also benefit... Because when they [the contractors/workers] are paid and they get something, they give their wives and sidechicks some of their money.” — President John Mahama.

The Informal Sector Impact: He traced the money further, noting that when these women receive funds, they spend them at hairdressers, dressmakers, jewelry shops, and handbag sellers, thereby fueling the local economy.

The "Waakye" Effect: He also highlighted the "food vendors who go to the sites and sell a little waakye and banku," noting that they also take money home to their families because of the construction activity.

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Artemis II of Infrastructure: The Big Push in 2026

Beyond the colorful analogy, the President provided serious updates on the scale of the infrastructure drive:

Massive Funding: A record GH¢30.8 billion has been earmarked for the Big Push in the 2026 budget, up from GH¢13.8 billion in 2025.

Project Scope: There are currently 50 major road projects covering more than 1,100 kilometers underway across all 16 regions of Ghana.

Youth in Engineering: During his site inspections, the President noted he was "very proud" to see young Ghanaian women in helmets serving as site engineers, a shift he called a "National Reset" of the technical workforce.

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Economic Impact Summary

Group	Benefit from Big Push
Contractors & Engineers	Direct payments and professional employment.
Artisans	Jobs for carpenters, steel benders, and masons.
Informal Sector	Increased sales for food vendors (waakye, banku).
Small Businesses	Revenue for hair salons, boutiques, and jewelers.
Households	Income distribution through "spouses and personal relations".

“Don't discount that one at all... it creates a broader chain of economic activity.” — President Mahama.