The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, announced during the government’s Accountability Series that staff members approving flawed or incomplete road projects will now face strict sanctions—including surcharges—for authorizing payments without adequate oversight.

Strengthening Oversight: Sanctions for Staff Involved

At the press briefing, Minister Agbodza directed all agencies under his ministry—the Ghana Highways Authority, Department of Urban Roads, and Department of Feeder Roads—to heighten quality control. He warned that any official who signs off on payment for incomplete or poor-quality works would be held personally liable:

“If you supervise or authorize payment for works that were not done or were not done properly… you will be surcharged,” he emphasized Cedi Rates.

This policy marks an escalation from prior pronouncements targeting contractors alone, bringing civil servants into the accountability framework.

Why This Policy Matters

The new directive responds to longstanding issues in the road sector:

• Chronic payment delays: The government owes contractors up to GH₵21–25 billion in unpaid or delayed Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs), some dating back to 2018.

• Widespread complaints about shoddy road works, often blamed on substandard supervision and contractor behavior.

By targeting both contractors and supervising officials, the minister aims to tighten quality assurance across the board.

Reforms to Raise Standards & Enforce Contracts

Minister Agbodza’s announcement complements broader reforms:

1. Contractor Quality Bonds: Approved contractors must now provide performance bonds, guaranteeing compensation for incomplete or faulty works.

2. Award Condition Reforms: New contracts will only be awarded to contractors who demonstrate strong execution records on existing projects—their next job depends on current delivery.

3. Enhanced Debt Validation: An audit is underway to reconcile all outstanding IPCs and payment liabilities across road sector agencies.

4. Funding Restoration: The government plans to release GH₵4 billion to enable resumption of stalled projects and signal good-faith intent to clear debts.

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Reactions from Industry Stakeholders

Industry critics have expressed concern that surcharges on officials might not solve root causes of poor workmanship without timely payments and broader system reforms. The CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industries, Emmanuel Cherry, said:

“If the minister says he will withhold payment for shoddy work, fine—but he must also pay those who deliver quality on time. It is enshrined in the contract. Enforcement must go hand in hand with prompt payment” MyJoyOnline.

Implications for Road Infrastructure and Governance

• Increased Accountability: Both supervisors and contractors now have personal stakes in the technical integrity of road projects.

• Restoring Trust: Timely disbursement of GH₵4 billion could help bring contractors back to stalled sites—especially key priority roads like the Ofankor‑Nsawam corridor.

• Structural Reform: Uncapping the Road Fund and reintroducing smart road tolls provide long-term revenue for infrastructure maintenance.

However, successful implementation hinges on transparency in fund allocation and consistency in sanctioning violations.