Gov't Clears Roads Ministry Of Procurement Irregularities-kwakye Ofosu
The Government has released the findings of a 72-page investigation into allegations of procurement irregularities within the Ministry of Roads and Highways, concluding that the ministry acted within legal procurement procedures.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the investigation was commissioned by President John Dramani Mahama following reports published by the Fourth Estate and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
The inquiry, conducted by the Senior Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs, Dr. Valerie Sawyerr, found that the ministry did not abuse the single-sourcing process and that competitive tendering remained the dominant method for awarding road contracts.
According to the report, out of 1,441 road projects awarded under the current administration, 90.28 percent were procured through open or competitive tendering, while only 4.58 percent were awarded through single sourcing in 2025 and 2026.
“Big Push” programme explained
The report also examined the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure initiative, which is aimed at accelerating the delivery of critical road projects.
It noted that 47.14 percent of the 140 projects under the programme were awarded through single sourcing due to urgent national priorities, including the need for rapid infrastructure delivery, protection of critical transport corridors, and mitigation of inflation-related cost risks.
The Minister stressed that all single-sourced contracts were processed and approved by the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) Board in accordance with the law.
The report also responded to several claims made by investigative publications, including concerns about contract figures, procurement processes, and administrative errors.
On the Dodo Pepesu–Nkwanta road project, the report clarified that discrepancies in published figures were due to typographical errors and confirmed that the contract sum of GHS 683.9 million fell within approved limits.
The contractor, Growth 82 Global Limited, was also confirmed to be duly registered and qualified.
Regarding the Winneba–Cape Coast dualisation project, the report explained that variations in cost per kilometre were due to the complexity of works, including a 1,200-metre viaduct and multiple long-span bridges.
It further dismissed concerns over misspelt company names as clerical errors with no evidence of wrongdoing.
Although the investigation cleared the ministry of legal breaches, it acknowledged public concerns about single sourcing and recommended stronger oversight mechanisms.
President Mahama has therefore directed a series of reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in public procurement.
These include the establishment of a Value for Money (VfM) Office under a new Act, requiring all high-value single-source contracts to obtain certification before approval.
Cabinet-level oversight will also be introduced for such contracts.
Additionally, government is finalising legislative reforms to restrict single sourcing to exceptional cases, while a new open-data system will publish details of contract values and beneficial ownership on a central e-procurement portal.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu commended the media for their role in promoting accountability and reaffirmed government’s commitment to transparency.
He said the reforms are intended to ensure that infrastructure projects under the “Big Push” agenda are delivered efficiently while maintaining strict fiscal discipline and public trust.
-Overseer
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