GhIE Petitions Auditor-General for Independent Audit of GH¢110bn ‘Big Push’ Projects

The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has formally petitioned the Auditor-General of Ghana to conduct an independent audit of the government’s GH¢110 billion “Big Push” road infrastructure programme, citing concerns over procurement processes and project implementation.

In its submission, the institution called for a thorough technical review, noting that the scale of the investment requires strong oversight to ensure transparency and value for money.

The appeal follows investigative reports by The Fourth Estate, which highlighted the use of single-source procurement and restricted tendering in contracts awarded under the Ministry of Roads and Highways, raising questions about compliance with procurement regulations.

From a professional engineering perspective, GhIE indicated that about GH¢85 billion has already been committed to ongoing projects, stressing that such substantial public expenditure should undergo credible scrutiny to protect national interests.

While acknowledging President John Dramani Mahama’s directive for the Roads and Highways Minister to address the concerns, the institution maintained that only an independent audit by the Auditor-General would provide objective findings and restore public confidence.

GhIE based its request on Section 16 of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584), which empowers the Auditor-General to undertake special audits in the public interest and report to Parliament.

The institution emphasised that the audit should assess the full project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, engineering designs, environmental and social compliance, and implementation. It warned that weaknesses at any stage could affect costs, quality, and long-term sustainability.

It also referenced the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) and the Public Investment Management Regulations, 2020 (LI 2411), which require competitive tendering and proper feasibility assessments for public investments.

According to GhIE, adherence to these legal frameworks is crucial for ensuring transparency and efficient use of public funds. The institution clarified that its intervention is intended to strengthen accountability and improve infrastructure delivery rather than assign blame.

GhIE added that it is prepared to provide technical expertise to support the audit process and urged swift action to ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money in executing the country’s flagship road projects.