Full text: Road Minister's speech at Government Accountability Series
Source: myjoyonline

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY SERIES – MINISTRY OF ROADS AND HIGHWAYS Nationwide Road Infrastructure Tour: In line with the NDC’s RESET agenda and commitment to inclusive development, the leadership of the Ministry of Roads and Highways embarked on an extensive nationwide tour during the first half of the year to inspect and assess the condition of roads across all sixteen regions of Ghana. This proactive approach, consistent with the NDC 2024 Manifesto, served multiple purposes: gathering firsthand data to inform policy direction, engaging directly with communities affected road infrastructure deficits, and signaling a new era of transparency and responsiveness in the sector. The tour revealed disparities in road infrastructure quality between urban and rural areas, identified priority corridors requiring urgent intervention, and highlighted abandoned or delayed projects due to funding constraints or contractual irregularities. This direct assessment is guiding realignment of strategic focus and budgetary prioritization in line with the RESET priorities for equitable infrastructure development. 2. Stakeholder Engagements: Collaborating to Transform the Sector: The Ministry has intensified collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, including road contractors, consulting engineers, transport unions, traditional authorities, local assemblies, professional bodies, foreign missions, and development partners. Engagements have brought to light several systemic issues, including: o Delays in contractor payments o Proliferation of stalled projects o Inefficiencies in procurement processes o Insufficient technical supervision on some projects o Need for improved local content participation These insights are informing sector-wide reforms, with renewed emphasis on performance-based contracts, project vetting, quality assurance, and value-for-money audits. These reforms are aligned with the RESET agenda’s call for efficient governance systems and the NDC’s broader infrastructure and job creation objectives. 3.Big Push Projects: As part of the Government’s infrastructure development policy and in fulfillment of the Big Push initiative outlined in the NDC 2024 Manifesto, the Ministry is implementing a bold, results-driven strategy to rapidly expand the road network, improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and catalyze economic growth. This programme is also intended to provide the infrastructure base needed to support the 24-hour economy , by ensuring round-the-clock movement of goods and services. The Ministry of Roads and Highways has undertaken studies and prepared comprehensive engineering interventions and cost estimates for road projects under the Big Push Programme. The Ministry of Finance has since issued commitment authorizations for the following road infrastructure projects under the Big Push Programme: Construction of a new bridge on the Oti River at Dambai; Rehabilitation of Wa - Han Road; Upgrading of Tumu - Hamile Road; Upgrading of Tumu - Han - Lawra Road; Reconstruction of Navrongo - Tumu Road; Rehabilitation of Techiman - Nkonsia - Wenchi Road; Rehabilitation of Wenchi- Sawla Road; Construction of Sunyani Outer Ring Road; Construction Of Kumasi Outer Ring Road (Eastern Quadrant); Rehabilitation of Gbintri - Nakpanduri Road; Rehabilitation of Dodo Pepesu – Nkwanta Road; Rehabilitation of Atimpoku - Asikuma Junction Road; Rehabilitation of Asikuma Junction - Anyirawasi Road; Reconstruction of Anyirawasi - Ho Tritrinu Road; Upgrading of Akosombo-Gyakiti-Kudikope Road; Upgrading of Asikuma to Anum Boso-Kpalime Road; Upgrading of Adomi Bridge to Akwamufie Road; Rehabilitation of Ho – Aflao RoadDualization of Winneba - Mankessim Road; Dualization Of Cape Coast- Takoradi Road; Rehabilitation of Mankessim-Ajumako-Breman Asikuma-Agona Swedru Rehabilitation of Tema - Aflao Road (Section 1); Reconstruction of Dodowa - Afienya-Dawhenya Road Upgrading Of Oyibi-Appolonia-Afienya Road; Construction of Enchi - Elubo Road; Construction of Dadieso - Akontombra Road; Upgrading of Adwofua – Oseikojokrom Road; Upgrading of Enchi - Kudjouru - Pekyi Road; and Upgrading of Bediako Junction - Camp 15 - Sefwi Adabokrom Road. As part of the Big Push Programme, we have also selected the following abandoned road projects, for which no dedicated funding was allocated by the previous administration: Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Kasoa - Winneba Road; Rehabilitation of Ofankor – Nsawam Road (Dual Carriageway); Dualization of Takoradi – Agona Junction Road; Construction of Suame Interchange and Local Roads; Construction of National Route N18: Wa - Han Road; Upgrading of Tumu - Chuchuliga - Navrongo including construction of 36m span reinforced concrete bridge over Kanyibie River and 24m span reinforced concrete bridge over Bechelihu river; Reconstruction of Navrongo - Chuchuliga - Sandema Road; Rehabilitation of Tepa (Mabang) - Goaso Road Rehabilitation of Hohoe - Jasikan Road; Upgrading of Nkwanta - Oti Damanko Road; Reconstruction of Have - Hohoe Road; Dualization of Adenta - Dodowa Road; and Reconstruction of Jinijini - Sampa Road. 4. Strategic Studies and Pipeline Projects • To ensure long-term network resilience and regional integration, the Ministry is conducting feasibility studies for key projects currently in the design and appraisal phase. These include: 1. A new alignment of the Accra–Kumasi Expressway to reduce travel time and enhance safety 2. The Accra Outer Ring Road and Kumasi Outer Ring Road 3. The Adawso–Ekye Amanfrom Bridge to connect the Afram Plains and open up vast agricultural lands • These pipeline projects are in alignment with the RESET agenda's focus on long-term planning, regional equity, and infrastructure-driven job creation, as well as the enabling infrastructure required for a 24-hour economy 5. Modern Tolling: Enhancing Road Revenue Sustainability To improve road maintenance financing, the Cabinet has approved the reintroduction of road and bridge tolls , with a focus on modernizing toll collection infrastructure. Key features of the reform include: o Transition to electronic and automated tolling systems o Enhanced transparency and auditability of revenue flows o Improved user experience and reduced congestion at toll points o The Ministry has launched a concessionaire prequalification process o Public advertisements have been issued o A prequalification conference was held on 3rd July 2025 o 12 firms have submitted applications, currently under evaluation Proposed new toll rates have been submitted to Parliament via the Ministry of Finance. These rates are structured to be fair, transparent, and reflective of road usage intensity. This modernization supports our commitment to digital transformation and fiscal discipline 6. Rationalization of Sector Project Portfolio An assessment of the status of contractual commitments indicates a very large portfolio of existing road projects (active and inactive) estimated to cost about GHS 105 billion as at 31st December, 2024. It is obvious that the estimated contractual commitments cannot be adequately funded with the available sources of funds. The Ministry, together with the Road Agencies, therefore, undertook a comprehensive assessment of the existing contracts with a view to make recommendations for effective rationalization of the projects to make them financially manageable and still meet the Medium-Term plan of the Ministry. Key outcomes of the rationalization exercise: o Identification of non-performing and stalled contracts o Suspension or restructuring of low-impact projects o Prioritization of high-impact, economically justified roads This restructuring ensures that existing and new projects are aligned with available funding sources, while also achieving the Ministry’s MediumTerm Development Plan goals. The rationalization exercise is consistent with the pillar of financial prudence and responds directly to the NDC 2024 Manifesto’s pledge to streamline infrastructure investment for maximum socioeconomic return Existing project portfolio of road sector rationalized to reduce current commitments and reduce non-performing contracts. Total Commitment amounts to GHS 123,565,454,431.01. Outstanding Contractual Commitment on projects categorized as ONGOING in the sum of GHS 45,681,311,911.24 and $223,175,786.75 ( equivalent to GHS 49,148,972,650.61 ) 7. Road Maintenance Trust Fund: Parliament has passed legislation establishing the Road Maintenance Trust Fund , which aims to: o Create a robust and autonomous governance structure for road maintenance financing. Implement a fair allocation formula for distribution of road user levies Introduce greater transparency in the collection and application of revenue The de-capping of the Road Fund ensures that all statutory revenue sources—particularly fuel levies—are fully available to the Fund to address maintenance backlogs. This measure aligns with the Government agenda’s focus on institutional reforms and the NDC’s promise to secure reliable funding for critical infrastructure maintenance 8. Maintenance Programmes: Securing Investments Procurement is underway for the implementation of 2025 routine and periodic maintenance programmes . These are critical to: Preserving investments in existing road assets Enhancing safety, ride quality, and reliability Reducing long-term rehabilitation costs The expanded maintenance strategy includes feeder roads, highways, and urban road segments across all regions. This expansion is critical to the 24-hour economy policy , which demands reliable road networks for continuous movement of goods and services. 9. Axle Load Control Reform: Preserving Pavement Integrity • A cross-sectoral technical committee has been formed to review and improve the axle load control regime. The objectives include: o Enhancing enforcement of axle weight limits o Modernizing weighbridge infrastructure o Aligning practices with ECOWAS protocols and best practices o Reducing premature pavement failures caused by overloaded trucks 10. Human Resource Expansion and Capacity Building To improve oversight and project delivery, agencies under the Ministry have applied for financial clearance to recruit additional technical staff Simultaneously, the Koforidua Training Centre is preparing a comprehensive training calendar to build the capacity of: o Ministry and agency staff o Road contractors and consultants o Regional engineers and district officers Focus areas include contract management, materials testing, engineering supervision, and safety audits. 11. Contractor Payments: Easing Sector-Wide Liquidity Constraints The Ministry of Finance has initiated plans to disburse payments to road contractors . This is expected to: o Alleviate liquidity pressures within the road construction sector o Restore contractor confidence and work progress o Strengthen the contractor–government partnership A streamlined payment regime is being developed to prevent future arrears and promote continuous project implementation. 12. Media Engagements In line with the Ministry's commitment to promoting inclusivity and transparency in governance, deliberate efforts have been made to engage the media across all regions of the country during official tours. These media interactions serve as a vital platform for informing the public, clarifying government initiatives, and encouraging open dialogue on the progress and challenges within the sector. By ensuring consistent and accurate communication, these engagements help build trust and garner public support for the effective implementation of the Ministry's policies and programmes. To further reinforce this approach, a national press conference was organized earlier this month, during which critical issues affecting the road sector were addressed. The session provided an opportunity to update the public on ongoing infrastructure projects, respond to concerns raised by stakeholders, and highlight the Ministry's strategic priorities. Through these combined efforts, the Ministry continues to demonstrate its dedication to accountability, public engagement, and transparent service delivery. Through these combined efforts, the Ministry continues to demonstrate its dedication to accountability, public engagement, and transparent service delivery as outlined in the 2024 NDC Manifesto. 13. Road Condition Statistics Year NETWORK SIZE (KM) CONDITION Trunk Roads (km) Feeder Roads (km) Urban Roads (km) Total Network Size (km) Good Fair Poor 2025 15,358 57,160 65,163 137,681 Projected 2024 14,948 50,775 28,480 94,203 44% 34% 22% 2023 14,948 50,775 28,480 94,203 47% 32% 21% 2022 14,948 50,775 28,480 94,203 47% 32% 21% 2021 14,948 50,775 28,480 94,203 44% 34% 22% 2020 14,583 48,357 15,462 78,402 41% 33% 26% 2019 14,583 48,357 15,462 78,402 41% 33% 26% 2018 14,583 48,357 15,462 78,402 41% 33% 26% 2017 14,873 15,463 42,045 72,381 39% 32% 29% 2016 14,873 15,463 42,045 72,381 39% 32% 29% 2015 14,873 14,000 42,190 71,063 35% 33% 32% 2014 14,873 14,000 42,190 71,063 45% 25% 30%