Programme Manager for the Independent Journalism Project at the Media Foundation for West Africa, Kwaku Krobea Asante, provided a detailed account of the Fourth Estate’s recent exposé on “Big Push” road contracts—a report that had sparked a fierce national backlash.
Speaking on Asaase Radio’s The Forum on Saturday (28 March), he reiterated the investigation’s core finding: an analysis of 107 contracts, obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request to the Ghana Highways Authority, showed that not a single one was awarded through competitive tendering.
Krobea Asante stated that of the 107 contracts, 81 were awarded through sole sourcing (76%) and the remaining 26 through selective tendering.
The contracts, valued at over GHC73 billion for the 81 sole-sourced projects, were signed under the current Mahama administration, according to documents provided by the Authority.
He challenged the Minister for Roads and Highways to provide evidence of any competitive tenders for these projects, stating, “Our speciality is in dealing with information, you know, searching for information, asking the right questions, getting the information, analysing them and putting them.”
He added, “In fact, for commentary, we actually rely on experts to give us commentary on the analysis. And we have just been relying on the data information you have given us, analysing and showing to experts, is this the way you guys do it? And they say yes, and that’s what we have put out.”
“We are challenging the ministry to come forward. The conversation is about what procurement type did you issue these documents. Come and show us.”
“The contract you [Roads Ministry] have given, which type of procurement did you gave it out? And then we can begin to have the conversation.”
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