Roads and Highways Minister, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has strongly criticised the contractor handling the 71.25-kilometre Enchi–Elubo road project, accusing the company of failing to deliver despite receiving more than GH¢80 million in mobilisation funds from government.
During an inspection tour of the project on Tuesday, May 12, the Minister expressed frustration over the continued deterioration of the road, which serves as a key route for cocoa transportation and cross-border trade in the Western North Region.
The project, being executed by Top Engineering International Ltd. under government’s “Big Push” infrastructure initiative, has seen little visible progress since December, despite the release of GH¢80.2 million to the contractor.
Residents and drivers who use the stretch have long complained about deep potholes, severe erosion and dangerous travelling conditions, with many describing the road as one of the worst in the country.
Addressing officials and journalists during the tour, Mr Agbodza described the state of the project as unacceptable.
“This project, Enchi–Elubo road junction project, as said, is 71.25 kilometres. Those of you following us have seen the condition of that road and the conditions under which our compatriots who live on this road live,” he said.
“You saw them drying cocoa by the roadside because of the state of the road and the economic conditions of our country. You drove on those roads and nobody was even patching potholes, which was supposed to be the responsibility of the contractor.”
The Minister also recounted emotional interactions with residents living along the corridor, particularly women who shared the hardships they endure due to the road’s poor condition.
“You stopped and spoke to women who told you the ordeal they go through. Some, I cannot repeat here some actually leading to death,” he stated.
According to him, the road was prioritised by President John Dramani Mahama because of its economic importance and the suffering of communities along the stretch.
“That is the reason the president prioritised this road as part of the Big Push. This Contractor has been on this road for ages. It is not new. It doesn’t need mobilisation,” he stressed.
Mr Agbodza disclosed that government had considered terminating the contract outright but was advised against doing so because of the huge mobilisation payment already made to the company.
“Frankly speaking, if not that I’ve been advised by the Chief Executive of Highways that we need to give him a little more time and also because we paid this contractor 80.2 million Ghana cedis mobilisation, I would have terminated this contract right now,” he declared.
“But if I terminate, the process of recovering this money becomes another matter. The only reason I’m not terminating right now is because they have 80.2 million of our money in their pocket.”
The Roads Minister further criticised the alleged absence of the company’s beneficial owner, claiming the individual frequently stays outside the country and remains difficult to reach.
“The worst is that the beneficial owner of this company doesn’t stay in the country. Anytime you call him, he’s outside the country. If you want to work here, you must stay and account for these things,” he stressed.
He subsequently directed representatives of the contractor to appear before the Ghana Highway Authority within one week and warned that government would not hesitate to replace the company if work does not commence immediately.
“We don’t owe you anything. Over 5,000 people want this job. If you cannot do it, step aside,” the Minister warned.
