Ghana's government has defended the use of single-source procurement for 47.14% of contracts under its Big Push road infrastructure programme. A 72-page presidential review confirmed the Ministry of Roads and Highways acted within the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated this decision was driven by urgent national considerations. These considerations included the need for accelerated infrastructure delivery and concerns over procurement efficiency. The initiative aimed to address critical road challenges and stimulate economic activity rapidly.
This defense comes after scrutiny from an investigative report by The Fourth Estate regarding sole sourcing. The Big Push programme is a key component of Ghana's broader infrastructure development agenda. It seeks to modernize road networks and support economic growth across the country.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications, explained these findings at a press briefing on Monday, June 15. He said the Ministry's approach was justified by the strategic objectives of the programme. "The Ministry’s decision to single source 47.14% of the Big Push contracts was informed by urgent and compelling national considerations," he stated.
The government highlighted several justifications for the procurement approach. These included the need for rapid infrastructure delivery to avoid delays. Such delays could worsen hardship in affected communities, according to the report. Public safety and national security were also cited, arguing that improved road corridors reduce risks.
Another key factor was fiscal risk mitigation. Urgent procurement helps reduce exposure to inflation-driven cost escalations and budget overruns. Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that these factors classified the Big Push as an accelerated national intervention. This required flexible procurement approaches, all within the bounds of the law.
He further noted that the 47.14% of contracts awarded through single sourcing applied only to specialized Big Push projects. These projects represent a small fraction of the overall road sector portfolio. The Ministry handled 1,441 road sector contracts in total. Big Push single-source awards accounted for about 4.5% of the entire procurement portfolio.
The government insists that competitive tendering remained the dominant procurement method across the sector. They affirm that single sourcing did not indicate systemic abuse of legal standards. This highlights the government's commitment to both development and legal compliance in public spending. Economic growth in Ghana often relies on efficient infrastructure development. This balance between speed and process remains a key focus for investors and citizens alike. Ghana's Public Procurement Authority oversees these processes to ensure transparency and value for money.