By: Alberta Asanewa Dwirah
Ghana’s first National Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI) Survey Report has revealed significant progress in transparency and accountability across the country’s infrastructure sector, while also exposing critical weaknesses that require urgent attention to enhance project delivery, efficiency, and public trust.
Launching the report in Accra, the Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms, Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, described the findings as a “turning point” for Ghana’s infrastructure governance. She noted that the ITI provides the nation’s first comprehensive, national-level assessment of transparency and efficiency within the public infrastructure system.
As part of government’s response to the gaps identified, the Minister announced that a Value for Money Office will be established next year to enforce cost benchmarks, strengthen oversight, and ensure greater accountability in public infrastructure spending.
The Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI) is a global assessment tool used to measure how transparent, participatory, and accountable public infrastructure delivery systems are at both national and sub-national levels. It offers a structured, evidence-based evaluation of how effectively governments and procuring entities disclose, manage, and use infrastructure data throughout the project lifecycle. Ghana scored 85.76 percent in the assessment, an improvement of more than 14 points over the previous sub-national ranking, placing the country ahead of several nations with longer histories of infrastructure reform.
Speaking at the launch, Madam Akanvariba emphasized that the value of the ITI lies in its potential to reduce corruption risks, prevent mismanagement, and build stronger public trust in government expenditure. “Accurate, timely, and comprehensive infrastructure data empowers oversight institutions, civil society, and citizens to demand better,” she said. She urged stakeholders to use the report as a “working tool” to guide reforms, improve public spending, and enhance service delivery across the country.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Development Director at the British High Commission, Samina Bhatia, described the launch of Ghana’s first ITI as a major milestone that would strengthen the UK–Ghana development partnership and improve governance in the infrastructure sector. She said the UK was pleased that infrastructure remains central to the Ghanaian government’s priorities, especially given the scale of investment anticipated under the “Big Push” agenda. “If significant public funds and public–private partnerships are going into infrastructure, we must ensure that every penny delivers real impact for Ghanaian citizens. The UK is a long-standing partner of Ghana, and we are keen to see the country make leaps and bounds in its progress. Infrastructure will be key to delivering that,” she said.
Ms. Bhatia noted that both countries share commitments to economic growth and shared prosperity, adding that quality infrastructure—roads, water systems, schools, and hospitals—will be essential to achieving those goals. She highlighted the UK’s continued support for accountability and good governance through programmes such as the Open Government Partnership, the Ghana Governance Programme, and the Green Cities Infrastructure Programme.
The event concluded with a renewed call for government, the private sector, and civil society to sustain the momentum created by the ITI and advance Ghana’s transition toward transparent, data-driven, and citizen-centered infrastructure governance.
