News:
April 1, 2026
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Governs Agbodza, has assured Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee that no contractor engaged under the government’s flagship “Big Push” infrastructure program is owed any arrears on certified work.
Appearing before the committee during its ongoing public hearings, Mr. Agbodza stated that the ministry has strictly adhered to its commitment to eliminate payment delays for road projects under the initiative. He confirmed that all contractors who have raised valid certificates have been settled.
“No contractor under the Big Push who has raised a certificate is owed,” the minister told the committee. He emphasized that the ministry has prioritized a “fit for purpose” system to monitor payments effectively, ensuring that financial disbursements are both timely and accurate.
In a move to bolster transparency and safeguard public funds, Mr. Agbodza revealed that new protocols have been implemented. He explained that payment certificates are now submitted alongside the original contract documents, allowing for a rigorous verification process to ensure that disbursements align precisely with the scope of work completed.
“As a matter of transparency and value for money, currently, certificates come with the contract documents to ensure payments align with work done,” he said.
The minister further noted that this new framework is designed to address long-standing administrative challenges, particularly the issue of duplicate claims. By strengthening documentation requirements, the ministry aims to close loopholes that previously allowed for the double submission of claims, a problem Mr. Agbodza attributed to poor record-keeping and documentation gaps.
“A fit-for-purpose system is very important to monitor payment to deal with the issue of double submission of claims which usually arise from documentation challenges,” he added.
The “Big Push” program remains a cornerstone of the government’s infrastructure agenda, focusing on accelerated development of roads, bridges, and other critical public assets across the country. The minister’s assurance is likely to ease concerns among contractors and stakeholders regarding the liquidity and fiscal discipline of the ongoing projects.
Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com