For those who appreciate the shortness of the distance between the southern parts of the country and the North through the Volta Region, news that some funding is on the way for commencement of work on it is worth relishing.
When the road project is completed, a trip between Accra and Yendi through that portion of the country can take between eight and ten hours.
We however find something unusual about the role of the Chinese in the whole matter. Much as we appreciate their support, we are not comfortable that local contractors who have the wherewithal and capacity to undertake such a project are not in the equation.
They have been totally pushed to the background as though they do not matter in a county which claims to be prosecuting a development agenda.
Ghana, since independence, has enjoyed the support of various countries and donor assistance in the execution of many capital intensive projects over the years and the one under review will not be the last one.
Indeed, many of such donors have been flexible in their terms regarding which contractors undertake the projects, even after making available the funding, especially when the capacity to undertake same is not beyond our local engineers.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation of the USA has a number of major projects in the country whose terms make room for the participation of local players.
From all indications, local contractors would not be considered for any part of the project and we shudder to think that what could have assisted in building the capacity of our local contractors is slipping away.
Applying the tender option would have been such a great idea in this regard and we encourage the authorities, especially the Vice President, to give it a thought.
From all indications, the Chinese are going to be in total control of the project even as our contractors look on dejectedly.
We understand that Vice President John Mahama has a soft spot for local contractors and would have loved to have them have a part of the pie.
Perhaps, he is constrained by factors which are beyond our ken. We ask that he pushes the case for local contractors in spite of possible factors beyond his means.
As mentioned earlier in this commentary, Ghana has been a recipient of foreign support for projects over the years but the Chinese one is showing a worrying exception regarding opening up the space for our local contractors to also play a part so they can pick up some cash whose trickle effect can touch the economy favourably. Besides, it would provide further experience to local contractors.
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Case For Local Contractors