Government to pay GH¢4bn to contractors

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has announced that the government is preparing to release GH¢4 billion this month to begin settling the GH¢21 billion owed to road contractors nationwide.

The move aims to reactivate stalled construction sites and revive critical infrastructure projects that have been delayed due to financial constraints.

He explained that the Finance Ministry is making arrangements to start retiring some of the debts owed to contractors, pending the Auditor-General’s review of road-related claims.

Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Accra, the Minister noted that several high-profile road projects have suffered delays, particularly those funded through foreign loan agreements that were frozen during the country’s debt restructuring process. Projects affected include the Accra-Cape Coast Highway, the Central University–Aflao Road, and the Ashaiman–Akosombo corridor.

“Unfortunately, that project fell into the category where the drawdown of funds was halted, and the banks stopped disbursing. It created a big problem because works had already started but couldn’t be completed. I must say that I am very disappointed in those particular two contractors in the sense that they have reneged on their responsibility to keep the roads maintained while work is ongoing. We needed to deploy extra resources and other contractors to carry out remedial works at additional cost. Whenever the certificates of those contractors are raised, I’ll be looking forward to deducting the maintenance costs from their certificates because there’s evidence they didn’t do the work,” he stated.

The Minister emphasized that poor road conditions are not just a nuisance but a national emergency, affecting school children, traders, and farmers.

“In places like Pokuase and Pasar, people can’t access schools or markets during the rains, and the economic cost is huge,” he lamented.

He added that the Pokuase Interchange and adjoining roads are about 70% complete but have slowed due to funding and drainage issues.

Hon. Agbodza reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing all ongoing projects and initiating new ones under the flagship Infrastructure Master Plan: Big Push.

Engineer Abdulai Mahama, the project manager of the contractor working on the Pokuase Interchange, assured the minister of timely completion.

He also cautioned the public, especially motorists, to adhere to road safety signs in order to reduce accidents and ensure the safety of workers on site.

The meeting was attended by engineers from the Ministry, contractors, and some Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) from areas where construction is currently ongoing.

Dean of the MMDCEs in the Greater Accra Region and MCE for Ga West, Hon. John Desmond Sowah appealed to the minister to provide an additional footbridge on the Pokuase–Amasaman Interchange to improve pedestrian safety.