President John Dramani Mahama has stepped into the growing controversy surrounding the government’s flagship Big Push infrastructure programme, directing the Roads Minister to provide a detailed response to allegations of sole-sourcing in contract awards.
The directive follows an investigative report by The Fourth Estate, which has raised concerns about procurement practices under the programme. Speaking at a dialogue with Civil Society Organisations at the Jubilee House, President Mahama acknowledged the seriousness of the claims and emphasised the need for a thorough and transparent review.
He revealed that his office has been instructed to obtain the full report and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the issues raised. While noting that sole sourcing is legally permitted under Ghana’s procurement laws, the President stressed that open and competitive tendering remains the preferred approach to ensure value for money and public confidence.
The Big Push initiative, designed to accelerate infrastructure development—particularly in the roads sector—has attracted significant national attention, making the integrity of its procurement processes a critical issue for both government and stakeholders.
Mahama assured that any decision or corrective action will be guided by the findings of the full report as well as the official response from the Ministry of Roads and Highways. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent use of public funds.
The development has intensified public interest, with civil society groups and development partners closely monitoring how the government addresses the allegations. Analysts say the outcome could shape public trust in the Big Push agenda and influence broader reforms in Ghana’s procurement system.
Source: MyJoyOnline




