Ghana’s Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has announced an aggressive campaign to reclaim approximately $30 million previously disbursed to a foreign contractor who has delivered virtually none of the contracted road works. The Tamale–Walewale highway project remains almost untouched, with only 1 percent of physical construction complete despite years of delay.
A $158 Million Road, Nearly Abandoned
During a parliamentary session on June 5, 2025, Minister Agbodza revealed that the overall contract value stood at $158,617,764, yet $29,648,180—about 20 percent—was paid up front. In return, all that has occurred is minimal site clearing, with full construction nowhere in sight :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
Contractor Seeks to Walk Away
Worse still, the contractor has allegedly requested an additional $14 million to terminate the agreement and leave the project unfinished. Agbodza condemned this move as unacceptable, observing that Ghanaian contractors who complete actual work remain unpaid while funds are lavished on unfulfilled foreign contracts
Zero Tolerance for Wasteful Spending
Agbodza voiced frustration over the inequity: paying foreign contractors for no output while owing local firms billions in unpaid certificates and road funds. He committed to invoking domestic law to force the contractor to complete the contracted scope or face legal action to recover public funds
Legal and Oversight Action Underway
The Attorney-General’s office has been engaged to investigate and pursue repayment, as part of Ghana’s broader effort to hold contractors accountable and safeguard taxpayer resources
Systemic Failures Fueling Inefficiency
Beyond the failing Tamale–Walewale contract, Agbodza flagged long-standing structural flaws in Ghana’s road procurement system. Many projects suffer delays, unpaid compensations, and ballooning costs due to rising interest on delayed payments—sometimes increasing a GHS 113 million contract to GHS 665 million in cost through compounding interest alone
Calls for Reform and Transparency
The Minister emphasised the urgent need to remove caps on the Road Fund and streamline contract structures. Political interference, poor planning, and delayed funding all undermine value for money and discourage domestic firms from bidding on projects
Public Response and Concern
Social media and public discourse reflect deep skepticism. A commentator on Reddit summarized the mood bluntly:
“This is one of the most obvious cases of corruption/embezzlement I have ever seen.”
Others express frustration that investigations rarely lead anywhere meaningful
What Happens Next?
The government will press legal claims to either compel completion of the highway or secure a refund. Agbodza has pledged greater scrutiny over future deals and insisted on redesigned contracts with clear deliverables and timelines. Ghana’s parliamentary watchdogs and audit institutions may soon play a more assertive role in contract oversight.
Conclusion: A Test Case in Accountability
The Tamale–Walewale road debacle exemplifies broader governance failures in Ghana’s infrastructure sector. Minister Agbodza’s aggressive stance signals a potential turning point—emphasising accountability, protecting domestic contractors, and demanding execution before payment. Recovering misallocated funds or insisting on delivery could set a crucial precedent for public procurement across the country.
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