By Amoako Kwame
The Ghana Institution of Engineering has called for an independent audit of the government’s GH¢110 billion “Big Push” road infrastructure programme, citing concerns about procurement processes and project execution.
The appeal follows recent investigations by The Fourth Estate, which revealed extensive use of single-source procurement and restricted tendering in contract awards by the Ministry of Roads and Highways. The findings have raised questions about transparency, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with procurement regulations.
In a formal petition to the Auditor-General, the institution called for a comprehensive technical review of the projects, warning that the scale of the investment requires strict and detailed oversight.
From a professional engineering perspective, the GhIE said about GH¢85 billion has already been committed to ongoing projects, stressing that such significant public expenditure must undergo a credible audit to safeguard the national interest.
The institution based its request on Section 16 of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584), which empowers the Auditor-General to conduct special audits in the public interest and report findings to Parliament.
It added that the audit should go beyond procurement to cover the entire project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, engineering design, environmental and social compliance, and implementation. It warned that lapses at any stage could affect cost, quality, and long-term sustainability.
The GhIE also pointed to provisions in the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), which requires competitive tendering as the standard approach, and the Public Investment Management Regulations, 2020 (LI 2411), which mandate comprehensive feasibility studies and inclusion in an approved Public Investment Plan.
The institution said it is ready to offer technical expertise to support the Auditor-General in conducting a thorough and credible audit. It added that the call has already drawn significant public attention following its announcement at a recent national induction ceremony for engineers.
It further urged swift action to ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money in the delivery of the country’s flagship road projects.
