Governs Kwame Agbodza
Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has clarified claims of alleged underhand dealing in the award of the government’s road infrastructure initiative, ‘Big Push’ contracts stating that they were awarded in line with procurement laws taking into consideration the capacity of companies, mostly Ghanaian, to deliver on time.
The statement follows the advertisement of a yet to be published news item by the Fourth Estate “The Sole Source Factory”, on social media platform Facebook.
Mr. Agbodza in the statement indicated that all projects under the big push project received parliamentary blessing.
“Let me state unequivocally that all projects under the programme have been duly approved by Parliament as part of multi-year expenditure commitments. All procurement processes have been conducted in strict adherence to the Public Procurement Act and its accompanying regulations. Contractual information is not concealed,” he stated in a statement
According to him, the ‘Big Push’ programme has received strong support from Parliament and the Ministry of Finance.
“In 2025, Parliament approved GH¢13.8 billion for major road projects. The 2026 Budget allocated an additional GH¢30 billion for strategic roads and bridges, as well as support for rural and agricultural access roads,” he said in the statement.
“These allocations allow projects to be implemented through multi-year contracts, ensuring steady progress across several regions,” he added.
Mr. Agbodza explained that “the contracts were procured predominantly through restrictive tendering to ensure rapid project commencement.”
He said before procurements, the Ministry and agencies had conducted extensive engineering studies, including feasibility studies and Seal of Quality and Commitment Authorization for each project.
According to the Minister, past performance and track record, ability to mobilise quickly, proximity on other ongoing projects, financial and equipment capacity to meet project timelines were some of the criteria used in selecting contractors.
“Contractors were selected based on their proven competence, experience, and ability to deliver projects efficiently within tight timeframes. Priority was given to firms with a strong track record and sufficient resources to mobilise quickly,” he further explained.
Value for money assessments, he said, were conducted by the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, ensuring projects provided optimal outcomes relative to investment.
According to him, the contracts prioritised competent, experienced, and well-resourced Ghanaian firms so as to build their capacities to deliver.
Out of the 16 contracts awarded across five regions under the ‘Big Push’ programme, 14, amounting to over GH¢6 billion, are being executed by Ghanaian contractors.
The local firms undertaking some of the projects are Murisco Ltd, Kojo Job Company Ltd, Arab Contractors Ghana Ltd, Kingspok Company Limited, Oswal Investments Ltd, Hatfast Ltd, Serengeti Construction Ltd, Ashcal Investment Ltd, and Mmanab Company Ltd.
A Daily Guide Report