The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has defended the government’s flagship Big Push infrastructure programme, insisting that all contracts awarded under the initiative have been executed in line with Ghana’s procurement laws.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, the Minister rejected claims of irregularities, particularly allegations of excessive sole-sourcing, describing them as misleading and lacking context.
He maintained that the programme, spearheaded by President John Dramani Mahama, is being implemented with strict adherence to the Public Procurement Act (PPA) and is subject to continuous parliamentary and public scrutiny.
“Transparency and accountability remain at the core of the Big Push programme. There is no breach of any procurement law, and there is certainly no scandal,” he told the House.
The Minister explained that while a portion of contracts were awarded through sole-sourcing, the approach was used selectively to fast-track critical projects and avoid cost escalations associated with delays. He added that the majority of contracts have been awarded through competitive tendering.
According to him, the scale of the programme and the urgent need to address Ghana’s deteriorating road network justified the use of multiple procurement methods.
“Ghanaians demanded immediate action on our roads, and government responded. We could not afford lengthy procurement processes for every project while roads remained in deplorable condition,” he said.
Hon. Agbodza disclosed that over 2,000 kilometres of roads are currently under construction or rehabilitation across the country, with projects spanning all 16 regions.
He noted that several abandoned road projects inherited from previous administrations have been integrated into the Big Push programme and are now progressing due to dedicated funding.
To ensure value for money, the Minister outlined new safeguards introduced by the Ministry, including independent cost assessments, stricter monitoring systems, and the use of local technical expertise for project design and evaluation.
He also emphasised that detailed information on all projects—including contractors, timelines, and scope of work—has been made publicly available to enhance transparency.
“The data is there for anyone to verify. We have nothing to hide,” he added.
The Roads Minister welcomed ongoing scrutiny from Parliament, civil society, and the public, stating that such oversight strengthens governance and ensures the programme remains aligned with national interests.
He assured that government remains committed to completing all projects under the Big Push on schedule, with the ultimate goal of improving road safety, boosting economic activity, and reducing transportation costs.
The Big Push initiative has become a central pillar of the administration’s infrastructure agenda, but has also attracted criticism from sections of the public and political opposition over procurement practices.
Despite the concerns, the government insists the programme is delivering results and will significantly transform Ghana’s road network in the coming years.
