Ghana’s government has reported that only 4.58 per cent of general road contracts were awarded through sole-sourcing. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Government Spokesperson, announced this figure from a 72-page investigative report.
This investigation was launched to counter allegations that the Ministry of Roads and Highways had become a “sole-source factory.” The report concluded that most contracts followed open and competitive tendering processes. President John Mahama commissioned the report following claims from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
This development is significant for Ghana’s public finance and good governance efforts. The government has prioritized transparency in public procurement, especially for major infrastructure projects under the 'Big Push' program. Previous administrations have faced scrutiny over procurement practices, making this investigation critical for public trust. Data from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) consistently emphasizes competitive bidding to ensure value for money.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu stated that President Mahama referred the allegations to Dr. Valerie Sawyer, Senior Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs. This move aimed to ensure an independent assessment of the procurement processes. The full report will be made public, inviting scrutiny from Ghanaians.
The findings indicate a continued commitment to accountability within government ministries. Decision-makers and market participants will watch for the public release of the report. This transparency aims to reassure citizens and development partners about the integrity of Ghana’s public contracting.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways awarded 1,441 road projects between 2025 and 2026. Out of these, 1,301 projects were awarded through open tendering, representing 90.28 per cent. The Ghana Highways Authority awarded 405 contracts, and the Department of Feeder Roads awarded 896. An additional 23 projects were inherited and re-awarded. These figures underline the government's argument against widespread sole-sourcing.
The report also detailed that 140 contracts were part of the 'Big Push' initiative. Within this program, 66 projects were sole-sourced, while 51 were awarded through restrictive tendering. The remaining 23 projects were re-awards from previous administrations, initially sole-sourced. Mr. Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that approvals from the Public Procurement Authority Board were obtained for all sole-sourced and restrictive tendering contracts. This procedural step ensures legal compliance. For instance, the Ghana Highways Authority secured approval for 72 Big Push projects, encompassing both sole-sourced and restrictive tenders. This level of detail aims to strengthen confidence in the procurement system.
The Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) and its amendment, Act 914, provide a framework for these processes. They specify conditions under which sole-sourcing is permissible, typically for urgent needs or unique services. The government’s data suggests that these conditions were met sparingly for road projects. This contrasts with earlier perceptions of rampant sole-sourcing. The continued monitoring of procurement practices remains crucial for Ghana's economic stability and investor confidence.