Three civil society organisations are demanding full public transparency for Ghana’s GHS 30 billion Big Push Infrastructure Programme. They warn that detailed disclosures are vital to prevent waste, misappropriation, and weak accountability within the ambitious initiative. This call aims to ensure public funds are used effectively and transparently.
BudgIT Ghana, the Integrated Social Development Centre, and Revenue Mobilisation Africa require the government to publish project-level information. This includes details like budget allocations, contract awards, procurement methods, implementation timelines, financing sources, and progress updates. The Big Push Infrastructure Programme, outlined in the 2026 National Budget, is Ghana’s largest capital expenditure initiative in recent fiscal history. It targets growth, productivity, and employment through investments in critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, ports, and logistic corridors.
This demand for transparency aligns with Ghana's ongoing struggle for good governance in capital projects. Large infrastructure programmes often face challenges like poor disclosure, cost overruns, and delayed completion. The Big Push Programme is presented as a major development vehicle. However, civil society groups emphasize the importance of verifiable information on how these projects are being managed. This includes details on project prioritisation, contractor selection, procurement processes, and execution status. The government has committed GHS 30 billion to the programme, with project selection based on economic viability and regional fairness.
Ms. Jennifer Addochoe Moffatt, Country Director of BudgIT Ghana, stated that real development outcomes depend on treating transparency as a central requirement. She highlighted that citizens have a right to know how their taxes are being used. This information is currently not fully available. The civil society groups want a comprehensive, regularly updated public register for all projects under the programme. Government has approved multi-year commitments for 33 road projects expected by mid-2027. This includes transformational projects like the Accra-Kumasi Expressway and the Ekye Amanfrom-Adawso Bridge.
Public information from the Ministry of Roads and Highways indicates contracts were awarded in 2025. Work has begun on 50 projects spanning 1,144 kilometres. Currently, 77 road projects are underway, including 54 new awards under the Big Push and 23 ongoing constructions. The civil society organisations argue that this available information is insufficient. They seek consolidated disclosure on how projects were prioritised, how contractors were selected, and how the entire programme envelope will be financed and monitored. Without such information, they warn, the programme risks becoming another public spending commitment judged solely by political claims rather than by verifiable delivery.
The push for transparency suggests future public discourse will focus on accountability mechanisms for large government spending. Decision-makers may face increased pressure to implement robust monitoring and reporting frameworks for the Big Push Programme. This will influence public confidence in infrastructure development and government spending habits. Market participants and investors will also observe how these transparency demands are addressed, as they reflect governance standards.