Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has denied claims that he travels with an overly large convoy during official road inspections. He stated that the ministry prioritizes modesty and efficiency in its work. Mr. Agbodza explained these numbers during a recent road tour.
The minister elaborated that the vehicles seen are often filled with regional officials and technical staff. These individuals join inspections at various stages of the project. Mr. Agbodza noted that his core convoy is small, typically seven cars when he and his deputy travel. This includes security and directors.
This statement comes as Ghana focuses on its infrastructure development. The government's "Big Push" agenda aims to accelerate project completion. This agenda requires contractors to be actively present on project sites. Initially, the ministry considered not paying mobilization fees to contractors. However, they later decided to pay advance amounts to speed up work.
Mr. Agbodza explained that many contractors requested advance payments. This allowed them to start work immediately. Some contractors even applied with the intention to work and then get paid quickly. The minister stated, "The majority of the contractors applied for advance mobilisation." This demonstrates a focus on getting projects moving forward promptly.
The addition of vehicles often occurs when regional authorities join the inspection. This includes the Regional Minister, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), or District Chief Executive (DCE). Mr. Agbodza pointed out that approximately 10 extra cars can join meetings. This brings the total to around 17 vehicles. He argued it is impractical to ask local officials not to join inspections within their jurisdictions. "It is difficult for me to ask them," he said.
Furthermore, multiple project sites in a region also contribute to the convoy size. Teams need to be led between different locations. The minister assured the public that the ministry would continue to be careful. They will avoid unnecessary spending during official tours. He emphasized, "We are not extravagant, we don’t have a fleet of cars we have been driving around." This commitment aims to maintain public trust in government spending.