Government's Infrastructure Agenda Gains Momentum Amid Intense Scrutiny Over Public Contracts and Trade Disputes

The Ghanaian government has intensified its efforts to execute the 'Big Push' infrastructure initiative, a $10 billion investment plan aimed at transforming national road networks and industrial capacity. A high-level delegation, including Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Governs Agbodza, recently met with His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to provide updates on the 198.7-kilometre Accra–Kumasi Expressway and the resumption of the Suame Interchange project. While approximately $434 million from the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) has been earmarked for the expressway, the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has raised concerns regarding the transparency of these fund transfers, urging the Ministry of Finance to ensure strict compliance with the Petroleum Revenue Management Act. These regional developments coincide with the Western Region's progress on the 12,300-acre Petroleum Hub project, which officials expect will reshape the local economy through industrial growth and job creation.

Simultaneously, the administration faces significant pushback over several controversial public contracts and regulatory decisions. The Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has announced mass industrial action from April 13 to April 17, 2026, protesting the 'Publican AI' customs valuation system managed by Truedare Investments Limited. Critics, including former MP Joseph Cudjoe, argue the contract could cost the state billions annually and have called for its immediate termination due to its opaque revenue-sharing model. Tensions have also escalated at the Kotoka International Airport, where traditional priests and priestesses of the Ga Dangbe State petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the revocation of McDan Aviation’s Terminal 1 operating license, citing concerns over indigenous investment and national aviation hub status. Meanwhile, the KGL Group has expressed its willingness to renegotiate its contract with the National Lottery Authority (NLA) following a presidential directive aimed at improving financial terms for the state.

In the social and digital sectors, the government is preparing for the May 1 launch of the 'One Million Coders' programme, which aims to equip ICT professionals with remote work skills. Minister for Communication and Digital Innovation Samuel Nartey George confirmed that the initiative will roll out across 130 learning centers following a successful pilot. However, the education sector remains under scrutiny as Minister Haruna Iddrisu launched a probe into allegations that some Senior High Schools are illegally charging students GH₵600 for free online lessons. This follows a new directive from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) mandating strict certificate verification for all health and education sector recruits to eliminate fraudulent credentials from public payrolls.

The health sector is also grappling with a looming crisis as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) raised alarms over $500,000 worth of essential family planning commodities that have been stuck at the port since August 2024. Despite these delays, the Ministry of Health is moving forward with the launch of the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) initiative, engaging traditional leaders like the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to ensure community-wide support. On the political front, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has established a nine-member committee, chaired by Peter Mac Manu, to develop electoral manuals and ensure transparency in upcoming internal elections, while high-profile figures like comedian Jeneral Ntatia have announced bids for parliamentary seats.

As the government balances these ambitious development projects with rising demands for transparency and administrative efficiency, the role of traditional authorities and civil society remains pivotal. The ongoing legislative review of the 1970 Ghana Library Authority Act and the renewed enforcement of rent control laws signal a broader attempt to modernize public institutions. However, the successful implementation of the 'Big Push' and primary healthcare reforms will likely depend on the government's ability to resolve port delays, settle land compensation issues in the Western Region, and address the growing concerns of the trading community regarding digital customs management.