The Ghana Institution of Engineering has formally requested the Auditor-General to conduct an independent audit of the government’s GH¢110 billion “Big Push” road infrastructure programme, citing concerns over procurement processes and project delivery.
In a petition submitted to the Auditor-General, the GhIE called for a comprehensive technical review of the flagship road programme, warning that the massive scale of public investment demands robust oversight to ensure transparency and value for money.
The institution’s appeal follows investigative reports by The Fourth Estate, which uncovered the use of single-source procurement and restricted tendering in contracts awarded under the Ministry of Roads and Highways. These findings have raised serious questions about compliance with the country’s procurement regulations.
According to the GhIE, approximately GH¢85 billion has already been committed to ongoing projects under the programme. The institution stressed that such substantial public expenditure must undergo credible scrutiny to safeguard national interests.
While acknowledging President John Dramani Mahama’s directive for the Roads and Highways Minister to address the concerns, the GhIE maintained that only an independent audit conducted by the Auditor-General could provide objective findings and help restore public confidence in the procurement system.
The institution grounded its request in Section 16 of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584), which empowers the Auditor-General to undertake special audits in the public interest and report findings directly to Parliament.
The GhIE emphasised that any audit should assess the full project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, engineering designs, environmental and social compliance, as well as implementation. It warned that weaknesses at any stage could adversely affect costs, quality, and long-term sustainability.
The institution also referenced the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) and the Public Investment Management Regulations, 2020 (LI 2411), both of which mandate competitive tendering and proper feasibility assessments for public investments.
According to the GhIE, strict adherence to these legal frameworks is crucial for ensuring transparency and efficient use of public funds. The institution clarified that its intervention was not intended to assign blame but rather to strengthen accountability and improve infrastructure delivery across the country.
The GhIE added that it stands ready to provide technical expertise to support the audit process and urged the Auditor-General to act swiftly to ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money in the execution of Ghana’s flagship road projects.
