GhIE urges reforms in road sector

The President of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), Ludwig Annang Hesse, has called for urgent reforms to address longstanding challenges in Ghana’s road sector.

Delivering the 53rd Presidential Address of the Institution in Accra, themed “Do It Well, Do It Right: A Focus on the Roads in Ghana,” Mr. Hesse emphasised that decades of national development plans, donor support, and technical expertise have not resulted in a road network capable of meeting the country’s needs. “The core problem is not the absence of plans but the failure to implement them with discipline and consistency,” he said.

Drawing on over 40 years of professional experience, including positions at the Ghana Highway Authority, private consultancy, and the Road Management Board, Mr. Hesse highlighted key weaknesses in the sector. He said that compliance with the Public Investment Management Regulations under the Public Financial Management Act, 2016, has been inconsistent, and that the Public Investment Programme and the integrated project bank have lacked transparency.

On road conditions, he warned that expansion without preservation is unsustainable. Data from 2024 indicate that 47 per cent of roads are in good condition, 32 per cent fair, and 21 per cent poor. Mr Hesse recommended creating an integrated road inventory and condition database to improve reporting accuracy and support effective planning.

Financial sustainability remains a pressing concern. The road sector’s workload stood at Gh¢131 billion by December 2024, with outstanding payments exceeding Gh¢31 billion. Mr Hesse urged the Ministry of Finance to address arrears through structured settlements and allow the Road Maintenance Trust Fund to focus solely on maintenance. He also proposed a gradual increase in the fuel levy to secure steady funding.

He also criticised the sector’s procurement practices, citing excessive reliance on single sourcing and selective tendering, contrary to the Public Procurement Act. He recommended that at least 90 per cent of public procurement be conducted through open competitive tendering, with any exceptions publicly disclosed.

The GhIE President concluded that reforms in planning, financing, procurement, asset management, and road safety are critical to building a sustainable and efficient road network that can meet Ghana’s development needs.