The Roads and Highways Minister-designate, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has called for a comprehensive review of how road projects are awarded in Ghana.
Mr. Agbodza, who appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on January 20, cited concerns about financial sustainability and emphasised the need for closer collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders.
While exploring solutions to address funding challenges, he stressed that the government remains heavily indebted and must find ways to meet its obligations.
“At the moment, it is the Finance Minister’s responsibility to raise the money. In addition, we need to engage with industry players, contractors, and the agencies responsible for awarding road contracts. The way we contract and draft these agreements needs to be reviewed,” he stated.
Mr. Agbodza also pointed out a significant disconnect between the government’s budget allocations and the actual volume of contracts awarded.
He used the 2024 budget as an example, highlighting that the capital expenditure allocation for roads was under GH₵4 billion, while the value of road projects awarded last year far exceeded that amount.
“Why is it possible to award projects worth four times the budgeted allocation?” he questioned.
To address these issues, Mr. Agbodza proposed a more collaborative approach, advocating for dialogue with contractors, industry players, and awarding agencies.
His goal is to create a system that balances government affordability with the interests of contractors.
“We need a solution that doesn’t leave contractors worse off. They are essential to building the nation’s capacity and providing employment, but we must ensure the government can meet its financial commitments,” Mr. Agbodza indicated.
