Roads minister defends Big Push initiative, rejects sole sourcing allegations

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has defended the government’s flagship Big Push Infrastructure programme, dismissing claims that the initiative is dominated by widespread sole sourcing.

Speaking in Parliament, the minister described such assertions as misleading and presented detailed figures and safeguards to show that procurement under the programme is conducted lawfully and transparently.

Mr. Agbodza told lawmakers that the Big Push—designed to accelerate repairs and upgrades across the nation’s deteriorating road network—relies on a mix of procurement methods tailored to project urgency and complexity, all within the framework of the Public Procurement Act.

“There is no abuse of sole sourcing. It is the exception, not the norm. No procurement law has been breached, and there is no scandal,” he said.

Competing narratives: numbers and context

Central to the minister’s rebuttal was a statistical breakdown showing that only 44 percent of major contracts were awarded through sole sourcing, while more than 400 contracts have been processed through open competitive tendering. He argued these figures undermine suggestions that the ministry predominantly relies on non-competitive awards.

Mr. Agbodza emphasised that the choice of procurement route is guided by practical considerations. Given the urgent need to arrest the deterioration of the country’s road network, certain methods—such as restricted procedures or negotiated routes—have been used to speed up delivery and avoid the cost escalations that lengthy processes can trigger.

“The Big Push is designed as an economic reset, and speed is a critical component of that reset,” he said, urging the public to consider the context behind procurement choices.

Reviving stalled projects and settling inherited arrears

A key feature of the Big Push is the revival of stalled projects inherited from the previous administration. Mr. Agbodza disclosed that 23 major road projects, originally awarded but left incomplete due to lack of funding, have been absorbed into the programme with new financing.

These projects, with a combined value of GH¢14.88 billion, include critical routes such as the Suame Interchange, the Ofankor–Nsawam Road, and the Adenta–Dodowa Road. The minister described the move as fiscally prudent and necessary for continuity, noting that many projects would have remained stalled without the expedited approach.

He also highlighted efforts to tackle inherited liabilities, revealing that over GH¢11 billion has been paid to clear part of arrears that exceeded GH¢40 billion—a settlement he described as the largest in recent history. This intervention, he said, restored contractor confidence and removed a significant bottleneck to project delivery.

Design and scope: how the big push is structured

To enhance competition and speed execution, the Big Push focuses on 12 major economic corridors divided into 54 lots. This modular approach, the minister explained, allows greater contractor participation and faster deployment of works.

Currently, he reported, more than 2,000 kilometres of roads across Ghana’s 16 regions are undergoing reconstruction or upgrading under the programme.

Mr. Agbodza rejected simplified critiques based solely on cost-per-kilometre comparisons, noting that some lots include major interchanges, bridges, drainage works, and safety enhancements that naturally elevate costs. Breaking projects into lots is intended to increase competitiveness and deliver better value by matching scopes to contractors’ capabilities.

Value-for-money measures and payment discipline

To ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds, the ministry has instituted several safeguards. Initial surveys, designs, and costings are conducted in-house by state agencies—a step the minister said has saved “billions of cedis.” Contractor proposals are subjected to independent value-for-money assessments, with payments linked to demonstrable progress.

“We have established a system where no contractor will be paid without delivering measurable work,” Mr. Agbodza said, noting collaboration with the Ghana Institution of Surveyors to strengthen independent cost verification capacity.

Parliamentary oversight and professional validation

The minister emphasised that the Big Push is subject to continuous parliamentary scrutiny and professional validation, with regular committee engagements, ministerial questioning, and independent cost validation by professional bodies forming part of the accountability framework.

“This architecture ensures procurement choices are defensible and delivery adheres to expected standards,” he said, inviting ongoing oversight as a necessary check on performance and reassurance to citizens.

Appeal to the public

Mr. Agbodza urged Parliament and the public to judge the Big Push by its outcomes rather than misinformation, highlighting improved road conditions, reduced transport costs, job creation, and heightened economic activity. He called on stakeholders to support the initiative, warning that unfounded allegations risk derailing a national intervention aimed at restoring mobility and unlocking productive value across regions.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency, rule of law, and timely delivery, noting that 70 percent of Big Push projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

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