The Minority in Parliament is intensifying calls for transparency in the government’s flagship road infrastructure programme, the “Big Push,” urging the release of full contract details to address growing public concerns.
Speaking to the media, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Roads and Transportation Committee, said publishing information on contractors, project scope, and unit costs per kilometre was essential to restoring public confidence.
His call follows a report by The Fourth Estate, which raised questions about procurement practices, including the widespread use of sole sourcing and possible cost inflation. The report alleged that the Roads and Highways Ministry, led by Governs Kwame Agbodza, awarded 81 sole-sourced contracts worth over GH¢73 billion within seven months.
While acknowledging the potential of the Big Push initiative to improve connectivity and unlock economic opportunities, Mr. Osei Nyarko stressed that transparency remains key to ensuring accountability in such a large-scale programme.
In contrast, Sammy Gyamfi has defended the government’s approach, insisting that all sole-sourced contracts were lawful and followed due process. He maintained that the projects received approval from the Public Procurement Authority and were subjected to value-for-money audits.
The contrasting positions highlight a deepening debate over procurement practices in major public infrastructure projects, with calls for greater openness likely to shape public discourse around the implementation of the Big Push programme.
