Project 7 Limited has strongly denied abandoning the Upper West court complex project in Wa. The company also refutes allegations of misusing project funds. Simon Sowah, a director at Project 7 Limited, stated that work is actively ongoing. He confirmed that construction materials remain on the project site in Wa.
These statements come in response to concerns raised during a recent visit by Parliament’s Judiciary Committee. Mr. Sowah told reporters that significant progress has been made since funds were released in December 2023. He explained that specialized heat-resistant doors are being installed. These replaced warped door frames that could not withstand the local heat. Engineers from the Judicial Service approved this decision.
The broader context for public infrastructure projects in Ghana often involves challenges with timely fund disbursement. Project 7 Limited's experience highlights this issue. Payment processing times can significantly impact project timelines. The government budget process and the release of funds from the Ministry of Finance are critical. Past projects have also faced similar delays, affecting developer confidence and completion rates. Data from the Auditor-General often points to these payment bottlenecks.
A director for Project 7 Limited, Simon Sowah, said, “For the Parliament committee to come on camera and say the contractor has pocketed the money, and no one can be found, it’s very unfortunate.” He added that the company had undertaken additional works. These included redesigns for fire safety and emergency access, which are awaiting approval from the Ministry of Finance. Mr. Sowah also stated that paving blocks and many other construction materials are already on site. He explained that one payment certificate took seven months to be processed before funds were released in December 2023.
The implications of such disputes can affect investor confidence in government projects. Continued delays could lead to increased project costs. These costs may be passed on to taxpayers. The Judicial Service and the Ministry of Finance will likely monitor the project's progress closely. The company expects the project to finish by September 2024. This assumes no further unforeseen construction issues arise. Accessibility features like ramps for disabled individuals are being incorporated into the ground floor design. However, installing lifts or metal access structures for upper floors requires separate planning. This is because the 26-year-old building was not originally designed for such additions.