Agbodza Condemns Cost-Cutting on Sites, Warns Slow Contractors They Face Zero Future Projects | Discuss Ghana

The Ministry for Roads and Highways has completely torn up the rulebook for non-performing contractors, shifting from gentle warnings to strict administrative enforcement. Laying down a hardline operational mandate to rescue delayed transport arteries, the Sector Minister, Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza, has fiercely ordered road contractors to stop cutting corners and under-investing in equipment at the expense of project delivery.

The Minister issued the strong warning on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, during an official site inspection of the Nkwanta–Oti–Damanko Road project, which is currently being handled by China Jiangxi Engineering Ghana Limited. Visibly frustrated by the skeletal crews and lack of heavy machinery operating across the vital connection, Agbodza completely rejected the technical team's standard procedural excuses, warning that any firm caught "economizing" on operational capacity will be blacklisted from receiving future state infrastructure contracts.

The Anatomy of an Engineering Ultimatum

The Minister pointed out that several construction firms are deliberately slowing down the pace of work to protect their immediate profit margins, a tactic that directly compromises the government’s flagship project deadlines:

The Slower-Pace Paradox: Inspecting the lots, the Minister acknowledged that while basic work was technically happening, the output was unacceptably low. "They are working, but it's slow. You can tell obviously that you don't have capacity on site... This is not enough; you are not investing enough in the project," Agbodza stated, directly challenging the contractor's claims that a larger team was mobilizing further up the corridor.

The "Zero Debt" Reality Check: Completely shutting down the common defense that delayed state payments are stopping work, the Minister maintained that the government has fulfilled its financial responsibilities. "They're economizing too much on having capacity on site, and it's not good. We don't owe you money; your certificate is going through a system before it gets to me. So we don't see why you are not working," he noted.

The Multi-Billion Infrastructure Drive: The warning is directly tied to the uncompromised execution of the state's GH₵30 Billion Big Push Infrastructure Programme. The flagship developmental agenda includes a multi-tier layout of 54 distinct road lots and major corridors—such as the Have–Hohoe reconstruction and the Suame Interchange—specifically designed to support the administration's 24-Hour Economy framework.