Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Agbodza, has given a clear warning: contractors must perform or lose their government projects. He specifically addressed those working on the Big Push infrastructure programme. The Minister announced that contracts will be terminated and legal action will be taken if work does not meet expectations.
This firm stance comes after a recent tour of road projects in the Bono, Savannah, and Upper West regions. During his visits, Minister Agbodza observed what he described as very slow progress. He also noted that some companies only mobilized equipment at the last minute. Many assurances about project timelines had been broken. The Minister criticized some contractors for taking on government work without having the ability or genuine intention to complete it. This directly impacts public infrastructure development and the efficient use of taxpayer money.
The Big Push programme is a key initiative by the Ghanaian government. It aims to improve the nation's infrastructure. Roads are crucial for economic activity and connecting communities. Past government projects have sometimes faced delays and cost overruns. This new directive signals a move towards greater accountability. Data from previous years show that infrastructure projects often experience challenges. By setting clear expectations and consequences, the government aims to ensure efficiency and timely delivery of essential services. This policy is important for the country's economic growth story.
During a site visit, Minister Agbodza directly confronted a contractor from Maripoma Construction. He questioned their readiness and commitment. "You packed and came to the site just yesterday because you heard we were coming," he stated. He added, "The youth are angry, and we will act accordingly if you fail to deliver 20 per cent within two months." The Minister emphasized that no contractor is more important than the government. He also highlighted the political fallout of unfinished projects. "Why should the President suffer abuse for giving you a job that you failed to deliver?" he asked.
The Minister also expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the Wenchi-Bole-Wa Highway project. This road connects the Bono and Savannah regions. "I am not impressed with the speed of work on the Wenchi-Bole-Wa Highway, and we will abrogate if necessary to reward serious contractors," he warned. He challenged contractors who had initially lobbied for these contracts. He asked why they were not delivering as promised. Minister Agbodza criticized a culture of delays in road construction. He noted that Ghanaian contractors often face no penalties for late completion. However, he stressed that the Big Push programme has strict timelines. He warned that slow work would lead to contract termination.
Observations during the tour indicated that some smaller contractors were actually performing better than larger firms. "The small contractors under Big Push are doing better than the big ones," the Minister noted. He reiterated that regardless of company size, failure to deliver would result in contract abrogation. The Savannah Regional Minister supported the Roads Minister's firm position. He revealed that local authorities had already intervened to prevent protests over stalled projects. "We have been able to beg the youth and stopped three planned demonstrations. We will crack the whip now on any contractor in the Savannah region who fails to deliver," he stated. This unified approach underscores the government's commitment to project completion.