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By Efua Nessa
Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Agbodza has issued stern warnings to underperforming contractors on the government’s flagship Big Push infrastructure programme, threatening contract termination, court action, and reallocation of projects. His remarks followed an inspection tour of the Bono, Savannah, and Upper West regions, which revealed slow progress, last-minute mobilisation, and unfulfilled promises across several road projects.
Agbodza specifically criticized Maripoma Construction for failing to justify delays. “No contractor is bigger than government. I will terminate you and we meet in court,” he declared.
The Minister also expressed frustration over the slow pace of work on the Wenchi-Bole-Wa Highway, a key route linking the Bono and Savannah regions. “I am not impressed with the speed of work on this highway. We will abrogate contracts if necessary to reward serious contractors,” he said. He questioned contractors who had lobbied aggressively for these jobs but were now failing to meet their own commitments.
Highlighting a long-standing culture of impunity in Ghana’s road sector, Agbodza warned: “On this Big Push programme, contractors must complete on time. Slow progress will lead to contract termination.”
The Minister noted that smaller contractors enrolled in the programme were, in many cases, outperforming larger firms, emphasizing that company size would not shield anyone from consequences. “The small contractors are doing better than the big ones. Regardless of who you are, we will abrogate your contract if you fail to deliver,” he said.
Supporting the warnings, the Savannah Regional Minister revealed that local authorities had intervened to prevent community unrest over stalled projects. “We have been able to calm the youth and stop three planned demonstrations. Any contractor in the Savannah region who fails to deliver will face consequences,” he stated.