The Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Alhassan Suhuyini, has strongly rejected claims that the ministry has become a hub for sole-sourced contracts, insisting that recent data reflects a significant shift toward competitive procurement practices.
His remarks come in response to allegations amplified by investigative platform The Fourth Estate, which suggested a growing reliance on non-competitive contract awards within the ministry.
Addressing the issue, Hon. Suhuyini emphasized that the ministry has, within the last ten months, awarded over 400 contracts through competitive bidding processes. He argued that such a record contradicts the narrative that the ministry operates as a “factory” for sole sourcing.
According to him, the claim overlooks both historical context and current reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability in public procurement. He maintained that while public scrutiny is essential in a democratic system, it must be grounded in accurate and complete information.
“I have said this before, and it bears repeating: the Fourth Estate appears eager for a scandal, pushing us to debate based on incomplete information,” he stated, suggesting that the conclusions drawn by critics may not reflect the full scope of procurement activities within the ministry.
Contextualizing Sole Sourcing and Reform Efforts
Hon. Suhuyini acknowledged that even if a limited number of sole-sourced contracts had been awarded, it would not automatically imply corruption. At most, he noted, such a scenario could suggest inconsistencies in policy application rather than deliberate wrongdoing.
He stressed that procurement decisions are often influenced by specific project requirements, urgency, and technical considerations that may justify alternative approaches.
He further highlighted that historically, road infrastructure projects in Ghana were largely executed through sole sourcing. Against this backdrop, he argued that the current administration’s emphasis on competitive bidding represents a notable departure from past practices.
The awarding of over 400 contracts through open competition, he said, demonstrates a deliberate effort to reform procurement systems and promote fairness.
The Deputy Minister also questioned the framing of the allegations, particularly the assertion that the ministry had “become” a sole sourcing hub. He pointed out that such language ignores the broader trajectory of procurement reforms and risks misleading the public about the ministry’s current direction.
Disputing Cost Analysis Methodologies
A significant portion of Hon. Suhuyini’s response focused on what he described as flawed methodologies used in analyzing road project costs. He cautioned against simplistic calculations that divide total project costs by road length to determine cost per kilometer.
According to him, such approaches fail to account for critical variables, including the scope of work, terrain, materials, and additional infrastructure components. To illustrate his point, he referenced comparisons made between past and current projects.
He noted that while a road project such as the Dode-Pepeso road may have cost €25 million in 2016, it would be misleading to directly compare that figure with present-day rehabilitation costs without considering inflation, expanded scope, and evolving engineering standards.
He also cited the example of a motorway originally constructed for approximately £4 million, which now requires an estimated $340 million for rehabilitation. This, he explained, underscores the complexity of infrastructure costing and the danger of drawing conclusions based on incomplete data.
Beyond construction costs, Mr. Suhuyini criticized the inclusion of unrelated expenses such as vehicles, office construction, and equipment in calculations of cost per kilometer.
He argued that aggregating these elements into a single figure distorts the true cost of road construction and creates a misleading narrative about inefficiency or overspending.
Addressing Misconceptions About Industry Practices
The Deputy Minister also responded to claims regarding the staffing structures of companies awarded contracts. Critics had pointed to documentation indicating that some firms listed only a small number of permanent employees, suggesting potential irregularities.
Hon. Suhuyini dismissed this argument as a misunderstanding of how the construction industry operates. He explained that construction companies typically rely on a combination of permanent staff and temporary workers hired on a project basis.
This flexible workforce model allows firms to scale operations according to project demands. As such, the number of permanent employees listed in official documents does not necessarily reflect the total workforce engaged in a given project.
Describing the criticism as “laughable,” he argued that presenting such industry norms as evidence of wrongdoing reflects a lack of familiarity with construction practices. He urged analysts and commentators to seek a deeper understanding of sector dynamics before drawing conclusions that could misinform the public.
Call for Balanced and Informed Public Discourse
Mr. Suhuyini concluded by reiterating the importance of balanced and evidence-based discussions on public procurement. While welcoming scrutiny from civil society and the media, he cautioned against sensationalism and the selective use of data.
He emphasized that meaningful accountability requires a comprehensive view of policies, practices, and outcomes. The ongoing debate highlights broader tensions between government institutions and investigative bodies over transparency and interpretation of public data.
As infrastructure development remains a key priority for Ghana, the accuracy of information surrounding procurement processes will continue to play a critical role in shaping public trust.
Ultimately, the Deputy Minister’s defense reflects an effort to reframe the narrative around the Roads Ministry’s procurement practices. By pointing to increased competitive bidding and challenging the assumptions underlying recent allegations, he seeks to position the ministry as one undergoing reform rather than regression.
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