Roads Minister Orders Termination of Bogoso-Prestea Road Contract

Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways, has directed the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to start terminating the contract. This contract was for the construction of the Bogoso-Prestea road in the Western Region. The company Black Oak was chosen to build this important road.

This decision comes after the Minister found the contractor’s work unsatisfactory. Minister Agbodza conducted an inspection tour of major projects in the Western Region. His assessment revealed that Black Oak had completed less than 2% of the required work. The Bogoso-Prestea road is crucial for the socio-economic development of the area.

This situation highlights ongoing challenges in Ghana's infrastructure development. Many priority projects face delays or underperformance by contractors. The government aims to accelerate development through initiatives like the "Big Push" programme. This road is considered a priority despite not being part of that specific programme.

Minister Agbodza stated, “This is a very important road, so we need somebody who sees the urgency to address the concerns of the stakeholders here.” He believes the GHA needs to begin the termination process quickly. The contract with Black Oak was awarded in 2025. Local authorities reported that work began in March 2026 with site clearing. However, no significant construction has occurred since then.

The termination of this contract will have immediate implications. The GHA will need to find a new, more capable contractor. This process could cause further delays to the Bogoso-Prestea road project. Securing a competent firm is vital to ensure timely completion. The delay impacts local businesses and residents who rely on improved infrastructure. Investors also watch these developments closely, as they influence confidence in Ghana's ability to execute large-scale projects. Future government infrastructure spending decisions might be influenced by the outcomes of such contract reviews.