The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has justified the inclusion of general items in road contracts, arguing that such provisions are essential for supporting the operations of agencies under the ministry and ensuring efficient service delivery.
Speaking during an inspection of the Ghana Highways Authority’s North East Regional Office on Sunday, May 24, 2026 — a facility constructed using funds generated from general items in contracts — Mr Agbodza dismissed claims that the expenditures were wasteful.
He noted that despite the severe economic challenges Ghana faced between 2022 and 2024, critical infrastructure and office projects were still delivered.
“I am sure that between 2022 and 2024 could account for one of the worst economic periods in our country’s history, yet it was within that same period that we built this office,” he said. “So how can somebody say it was wasteful then and will still be wasteful now?”
The minister stressed that staff of the Ghana Highway Authority and other agencies deserve decent working conditions comparable to those in other public institutions.
“The staff of Highways deserve better. Engineers at the agency do critical work just like doctors, nurses, the police, and Bank of Ghana staff,” he said. “There is nothing wrong with providing decent office accommodation and logistics for them to work.”
Mr Agbodza also defended the procurement of official vehicles for field operations, explaining that road sector officials travel extensively across the country to inspect projects and supervise contractors.
“These vehicles are not luxury items. Sometimes, within a short period, we travel over 1,500 to 2,000 kilometres,” he noted. “The other day, one of our vehicles was involved in an accident while returning from fieldwork. We need these resources to effectively carry out our duties across the country.”
He emphasised that the ministry remains committed to the prudent use of public funds and rejected suggestions of wasteful spending.
“We are assuring the public once again that we are not wasteful at the ministry. Every cedi given to us is being put to proper use to improve infrastructure and service delivery,” he added.
— Citi Newsroom
