BY VALENTIA TETTEH
The Minority in Parliament of Ghana has called on the government to publish full details of contracts awarded under its flagship road infrastructure programme, the Big Push, describing the move as critical to ensuring transparency and accountability.
The call follows a report by The Fourth Estate which raised concerns about procurement processes, including the use of sole sourcing and potential cost inflation in the award of contracts.
Addressing journalists in Parliament on Tuesday, March 24, the Ranking Member on the Roads and Transportation Committee and Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, acknowledged the potential of the programme to improve connectivity and boost economic activity.
However, he stressed the need for transparency in its implementation.
“We strongly believe that the government must, as a matter of urgency, publish the full details of these contracts. This will give Ghanaians the opportunity to independently assess the policy and promote transparency in the execution of the programme,” he stated.
Mr. Osei Nyarko indicated that making public key details such as the identities of contractors, scope of work and unit cost per kilometre would help restore public confidence in infrastructure delivery.
The Minority also raised concerns about funding constraints in the road sector, citing arrears of about 20 billion cedis owed to contractors.
According to the caucus, delays in payments have led to the abandonment of more than 80 percent of road projects across the country, resulting in the deterioration of partially completed works.
The caucus further criticised delays in the reintroduction of road tolls, describing the situation as a setback to revenue mobilisation for road maintenance.
Mr. Osei Nyarko said plans for electronic tolling had been advanced under the previous administration and questioned the delay in implementation.
“Fifteen months into the current administration, this promise remains unfulfilled. There has been no visible commencement of the process to reintroduce road tolls, despite earlier commitments made to Ghanaians,” he said.
He added that the delay raises concerns about policy consistency and the government’s strategy for mobilising funds for infrastructure.
“This continued delay raises questions regarding the government’s policy consistency and revenue mobilisation strategy for road maintenance,” he noted.
The Minority is also calling for clarity on key infrastructure projects, including the Accra-Kumasi Expressway, the Suame Interchange, and the status of ongoing railway developments.
The caucus maintains that greater transparency in contract awards and project implementation is essential to ensuring accountability and delivering value for money in the road sector.
