The CEO of Ghana GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, has mounted a robust defence of the government’s contracting approach under the Big Push infrastructure drive, arguing that the use of sole-sourcing is justified by pressing national needs.
He pushed back against claims by The Fourth Estate, which questioned how the contracts were awarded and suggested possible financial irregularities.
The outlet also alleged that Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Transport Minister, oversaw the approval of dozens of contracts worth over GH¢73 billion within a short period.
Responding in a statement dated March 24, 2026, Mr Gyamfi dismissed the allegations and challenged the basis of the report. He argued that the claims lacked proof and failed to demonstrate any breach of procurement rules or inflated pricing.
He framed the government’s decision within the context of urgency, stressing that Ghana’s deteriorating road network poses serious risks.
He linked poor road conditions to fatal accidents and criminal activity, describing the situation as a matter that demands swift intervention.
Mr. Gyamfi disclosed that preliminary work on the projects, including design, surveys and cost assessments already consumed about seven months. He argued that adding a full competitive tendering process would have stalled the rollout even further.
Drawing from previous examples, he noted that some tendering exercises have stretched beyond a year. He warned that such timelines would have delayed completion dates and slowed down critical infrastructure delivery.
He pointed out that procurement laws permit sole-sourcing in urgent situations, as long as the Public Procurement Authority approves. He said the government complied with this requirement across all affected projects.
Mr. Gyamfi also emphasised that authorities subjected the contracts to value-for-money checks and distributed them among several capable contractors. He added that independent consultants assess and certify work done before any payments are processed.
Addressing concerns about the figures cited, he explained that many of the projects referenced were already in place before the current administration took office.
He mentioned works such as the Suame Interchange, along with the Ofankor–Nsawam and Adenta–Dodowa roads, as examples of ongoing projects that the government simply continued.
He criticised the report for counting these inherited projects as newly awarded contracts. He clarified that the administration maintained the original contractors and restructured the agreements to ensure funding and completion.
Mr Gyamfi further stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has never outright rejected sole-sourcing. He said the party’s long-standing position has been to oppose only its misuse or abuse.
He insisted that the current strategy delivers results without sacrificing accountability. He said the government has chosen a path that accelerates project delivery while remaining within the bounds of the law.
