By: Sarah Baafi
A leading member of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Kwame Jantuah Esq, has called for greater transparency and accountability in the award of road contracts, following revelations that a significant portion of projects under the government’s “Big Push” initiative were sole-sourced.
Speaking during a panel discussion on the GTV Breakfast Show, Mr. Jantuah reacted to comments by the Roads and Highways Minister indicating that 44% of contracts under the Big Push programme were awarded through sole sourcing.
His remarks come after government rejected claims of irregularities in the award of contracts under the programme, insisting that all processes were conducted in line with the Public Procurement Act.
While acknowledging the urgency often associated with infrastructure development, Mr. Jantuah stressed that such procurement methods must be clearly justified to the public to avoid suspicion and mistrust.
According to him, road construction is a critical national priority, especially given the toll poor road networks take on vehicles and livelihoods. However, he cautioned that speed should not override due process or compromise quality.
He explained that in many cases, defective roads stem from poor foundational work, noting that when infrastructure is not properly laid, the bitumen surface can deteriorate quickly, sometimes even appearing to “sway” under intense heat. This, he said, reflects deeper issues in project execution and oversight.
Mr. Jantuah further argued that the perception that public officials may benefit personally from contract awards continues to erode public confidence in government projects. He emphasized that transparency in procurement is key to addressing such concerns.
“Before contracts are awarded, the public must be informed about the cost, the contractor, the timeline, and the reasons for choosing a particular procurement method,” he indicated.
He added that clearly communicating these details would help citizens understand the urgency behind certain decisions, especially when projects are undertaken within tight political timelines.
Kwame Jantuah Esq, also underscored the importance of durability in road construction, insisting that roads should last at least eight to ten years without major defects if executed properly.
His comments come amid ongoing public debate over the government’s infrastructure drive and the use of sole sourcing, a procurement method that, while legal under specific conditions, often attracts scrutiny over its potential for abuse.
Mr. Jantuah concluded by urging authorities to prioritise quality, transparency, and accountability, noting that the true value of any road project lies not in how quickly it is completed, but in how well it serves the public over time.
