In our publication yesterday, we carried a story on the ongoing nationwide inspection tour embarked upon by Roads and Highways Minister, Governs Kwame Agbodza, which began in late April 2026 under the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure agenda.
As part of the working visits to major road projects across the country, the minister’s inspection of the stalled 71.25-kilometre Enchi–Elubo road project in the Western North Region exposed the disturbing culture of contractors receiving huge sums of taxpayers’ money while failing to execute the projects awarded to them.
The shocking discovery once again highlighted the deep accountability challenges confronting public infrastructure delivery in the country and reinforced the need for leadership that goes beyond office comfort, paperwork and ceremonial supervision.
During the inspection on May 12, 2026 the minister expressed outrage after discovering that contractor Top Engineering International Ltd had failed to mobilise to site despite receiving a GH¢80.2 million mobilisation payment from government in December 2025.
The road, which remains one of the worst in the country despite its importance to cocoa production and trade with neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire, continues to subject residents and commuters to unbearable hardship.
Mr Agbodza did not mince words. He openly questioned why a contractor that had already been paid substantial public funds had abandoned work while communities continued to suffer. He even revealed that but for the challenge of recovering the mobilisation payment already made, he would have terminated the contract immediately. His frustration was understandable. Residents reportedly shared painful stories of deaths and severe suffering caused by the deplorable state of the road.
The minister’s latest discovery forms part of a nationwide inspection exercise under government’s “Big Push” infrastructure agenda, which he has been actively undertaking in recent weeks. Since late April and early May, Mr Agbodza has toured several road projects across the country, including the Techiman–Wenchi road, Upper West corridors, Kasoa–Winneba and other major projects to assess progress firsthand.
What is commendable is that the minister has not approached these tours as mere publicity exercises. In some places, he has praised contractors for satisfactory progress. In others, he has openly criticised delays, threatened contract terminations and demanded accountability. That balance is exactly what responsible governance requires.
Too often in Ghana, ministers remain in Accra giving directives from comfortable offices while relying solely on reports submitted by aides, consultants or supervisors. Unfortunately, some of those field officers can easily be compromised. Contractors who are not working may still produce glowing reports claiming projects are progressing smoothly. This culture has contributed significantly to the alarming number of abandoned and stalled government projects across the country.
Mr Agbodza is changing that narrative. By personally visiting project sites, interacting with residents and seeing conditions for himself, the minister is exposing the gap between paperwork and reality. If he had remained in his office relying on briefing notes, the shocking state of the Enchi–Elubo project may never have come to light. The contractor would likely have continued sitting on public funds while ordinary citizens suffered daily.
This is the type of leadership other ministries must emulate. Ministers should not become distant administrators detached from realities on the ground. Governance requires visibility, supervision and accountability. Citizens gain confidence when leaders leave their offices to inspect projects personally and demand answers directly from contractors.
The Enchi–Elubo incident should also serve as a strong warning to contractors who receive public funds but fail to execute projects. Government must take decisive action against such companies. Sanctions, blacklisting, contract terminations and aggressive recovery of public funds must become part of the accountability process. Without consequences, some contractors will continue treating state contracts as avenues for enrichment rather than national service.
Indeed, Ghana cannot continue operating this way if national development is to progress meaningfully. Public officials must supervise actively, contractors must deliver responsibly and taxpayers’ money must be protected diligently.
Mr Agbodza deserves commendation for setting this example. Leadership is not only about issuing instructions. Sometimes, true leadership means getting into the field, confronting uncomfortable truths and ensuring that public service genuinely serves the public.
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