Minister Defends ‘Big Push’ Infrastructure Programme Amidst Sole Sourcing Allegations
The Ghanaian government’s flagship “Big Push” infrastructure initiative, aimed at revitalizing the nation’s deteriorating road network, is facing scrutiny over its procurement practices. Accusations of widespread sole sourcing have been met with a robust defense from the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, who asserts that such claims are misleading and that the programme adheres strictly to legal and transparent procurement processes.
The “Big Push” programme is designed to accelerate repairs and upgrades across the country’s extensive road system. It employs a flexible approach to procurement, utilizing a variety of methods that are carefully selected based on the urgency and complexity of each project. Crucially, all these methods operate within the established framework of the Public Procurement Act.
Minister Agbodza presented Parliament with detailed figures and highlighted the existing safeguards in place, aiming to demonstrate that procurement under the programme is being conducted lawfully and with transparency. He stated emphatically, “No procurement law has been breached and there is no scandal.” He further revealed that “More than 400 contracts have been processed through open competitive tendering,” a figure intended to directly counter suggestions that the ministry predominantly relies on non-competitive contract awards.
Strategic Procurement for Urgent Needs
Recognizing the critical and immediate need to halt the ongoing deterioration of Ghana’s road infrastructure, the ministry has strategically employed certain procurement methods. These include restricted procedures and negotiated routes. The primary objective behind using these methods is to expedite project delivery and, importantly, to mitigate the risk of escalating costs that can often accompany lengthy and protracted tendering processes.
Reviving Stalled Projects and Addressing Inherited Liabilities
A significant component of the “Big Push” initiative involves the revival of critical road projects that were left incomplete by the previous administration due to funding shortfalls. Minister Agbodza disclosed that 23 major road projects, with a combined value of GH¢14.88 billion, have been integrated into the “Big Push” programme and are now being financed under new arrangements. These crucial undertakings include vital routes such as the Suame Interchange, the Ofankor–Nsawam Road, and the Adenta–Dodowa Road, underscoring the programme’s commitment to addressing long-standing infrastructure deficits.
Furthermore, the ministry has been actively working to resolve inherited financial liabilities. Minister Agbodza highlighted that over GH¢11 billion has been disbursed to clear a portion of arrears that had accumulated to more than GH¢40 billion. He characterized this settlement as one of the largest in recent history, demonstrating a significant effort to clear outstanding debts and pave the way for new development.
Currently, the “Big Push” programme is overseeing the reconstruction or upgrading of more than 2,000 kilometres of roads across all 16 regions of Ghana. A key principle of the programme’s operational framework is to ensure accountability in contractor payments. As Minister Agbodza stated, “We have established a system wherein no contractor will be paid without delivering measurable work.”
Accountability and Parliamentary Oversight
The “Big Push” programme is subjected to continuous scrutiny through parliamentary oversight and professional validation. This robust accountability framework includes regular engagements with parliamentary committees, ministerial questioning sessions, and independent cost validation exercises conducted by professional bodies. These measures are in place to ensure that public funds are utilized effectively and that the programme operates with the highest standards of governance.
Concerns Raised by Civil Society and Opposition
Despite the ministry’s assurances, concerns regarding the procurement practices under the “Big Push” initiative have been voiced by various stakeholders. The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has raised alarms about what he perceives as an excessive reliance on sole sourcing for contract awards.
Mr. Braimah indicated that data gathered by his organization suggests a significant utilization, and potential abuse, of the sole sourcing provision within Ghana’s procurement law. He reported that out of 107 contracts reviewed by the MFWA, a substantial 81 were awarded through sole sourcing, prompting questions about adherence to the Public Procurement Act. While acknowledging that sole sourcing is permissible under specific circumstances, such as emergencies or when specialized expertise is required, Braimah emphasized that the concern lies not with the existence of the provision in law, but with its potentially unjustified and excessive application.
The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament has also intensified its calls for the government to provide full disclosure of all contracts awarded under the “Big Push” road infrastructure programme. Kennedy Osei Nyarko, the Ranking Member of the Roads and Transport Committee and Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, articulated these concerns at a press conference. He stressed that transparency and accountability are paramount for the programme’s success in the eyes of the public.
These calls for greater transparency follow allegations previously raised by investigative journalism outfit The Fourth Estate, which had also questioned the procurement practices associated with the programme, citing concerns about potential cost inflation and the extensive use of sole-sourced contracts. Mr. Nyarko also pointed out the apparent shift in stance, noting the current administration’s strong opposition to similar issues when it was in opposition.
The engagement of the Minister of Roads and Highways before Parliament to present factual information is viewed as a positive development within Ghana’s democratic process. Likewise, the efforts of those who have raised questions about transparency in the awarding of contracts for this crucial flagship project are commendable. Ultimately, public officials are accountable to the citizens they serve and must be prepared to account for their stewardship, fostering an environment of transparency and accountability that is vital for the healthy progression of democracy.
