The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, has raised concerns over transparency in the implementation of the government’s GH¢50 billion Big Push infrastructure programme
According to him, although the Minority supports the vision behind the programme, the lack of publicly available information on the contracts risks undermining confidence in the initiative.
“We believe the Big Push programme has the potential to transform Ghana’s road network and boost economic activity. However, transparency must not be compromised in the process,” he stated.
According to him, the manner in which the first batch of projects has been awarded raises legitimate concerns about procurement practices.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Parliament on Tuesday, he urged the government to disclose full details of awarded contracts.
The absence of detailed information such as the contractors involved, scope of work, and cost per kilometre, he said,makes it difficult for stakeholders to assess value for money.
“Ghanaians deserve to know who is executing these projects, what exactly they entail and how much each kilometre of road is costing the taxpayer,” he said.
The Minority called on government to immediately publish comprehensive details of all contracts under the programme to promote accountability and public trust.
Kennedy Nyarko Osei argued that transparency is a fundamental pillar of good governance and should be upheld, especially in large-scale projects funded with public resources.
“Where there is openness, public confidence is strengthened. But when decisions are taken without adequate disclosure, it creates room for suspicion and speculation,” he cautioned
He pointed out that the current administration had previously criticised similar procurement approaches while in opposition, and therefore has a responsibility to demonstrate higher standards in government.
The Ranking Member also indicated that the Minority is well-informed about standard cost benchmarks within the road construction sector and will use such data to assess the fairness of contract pricing once details are made available.
He explained that comparing project costs against established industry ranges will help determine whether the country is receiving value for money under the Big Push initiative.
Despite the concerns raised, the Minority reaffirmed its support for infrastructure development, emphasizing that its position is aimed at ensuring transparency rather than obstructing progress.
