The founding president and CEO of IMANI-Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has made a thought-provoking commentary following the manifesto launch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on the role of the private sector in infrastructure projects.
Franklin Cudjoe emphasized on the need for a transparent and effective collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Franklin Cudjoe’s remarks underscored the importance of private sector participation in driving economic development, while also addressing the persistent issues of procurement corruption in Ghana.
Private Sector Collaboration in Infrastructure
Franklin Cudjoe highlighted the critical role of the private sector in undertaking infrastructure projects, a concept he believes should already be a standard practice in Ghana. He specifically mentions the government’s Agenda 111 initiative, which aims to build 111 hospitals across the country, as an example where private sector involvement should be predominant.
“The Agenda 111 should have been 70% led by the private sector, with the public sector taking on the remaining 30%.”
Franklin Cudjoe founding president and CEO of IMANI-Africa
Franklin Cudjoe argued that there is a “no-brainer,” suggesting that the private sector’s involvement is not only necessary but should be a priority in national infrastructure development. He noted that the successful completion of projects like the UTFC under former President Mahama is evidence of the potential benefits of such collaborations.
However, Franklin Cudjoe stressed the importance of clarity in the execution of these partnerships, stating that;
“We must have that type of arrangement, but we need to know what the percentages are, it’s not enough to say we’ll collaborate.”
Franklin Cudjoe founding president and CEO of IMANI-Africa
Franklin Cudjoe warned against the dangers of vague arrangements, especially in a country like Ghana, where “chronic capitalist arrangements” often lead to corruption and inefficiency.
Franklin Cudjoe insisted on the need for transparency in the execution of public-private partnerships (PPP) to avoid the pitfalls that have plagued similar initiatives in the past.
The Problem of Procurement and Corruption
Franklin Cudjoe highlighted on the dedicated to the issue of procurement, which he identifies as a major source of corruption in Ghana. He acknowledged that while the government has made efforts to address this problem, more needs to be done to ensure that procurement processes are fair and transparent.
“It’s a source of grand theft and corruption in this country [when it comes to the issue of Procurement] — you and I, we all know that.”
Franklin Cudjoe founding president and CEO of IMANI-Africa
Franklin Cudjoe referenced his extensive experience in studying over 1,000 procurement contracts, which has given him a deep understanding of the systemic issues that plague the sector.
Franklin Cudjoe suggested a two-pronged approach. First, he advocated for a policy that prioritizes the procurement of goods and services that are available locally before looking to international suppliers. He described this as a “beautiful idea” but cautioned against allowing political interests to interfere with the process.
“…all we don’t want is to have political credit at the same time getting into that space and making a mess up, look at school feeding.”
Franklin Cudjoe founding president and CEO of IMANI-Africa
Moreover, Franklin Cudjoe calls for a significant reduction in the size of the government, arguing that many of the functions currently performed by the public sector could be more effectively handled by private entities.
“The government does not have to do most of the stuff that they do anyway. I mean, the private sector should be encouraged and labeled through a transferring process to undertake most of the things that the private sector will undertake.”
Meanwhile, Franklin Cudjoe further addressed the controversial issue of road tolls, criticizing the government’s decision to remove them. He believes that road construction and maintenance should be primarily managed by private companies, with the government playing a minimal role.
“There was no need to take the road tolls away, but anyway, it happened. So, if roads will be constructed, I don’t see why 70% or 80% of that should not be done by private people, including you and myself.”
Franklin Cudjoe founding president and CEO of IMANI-Africa
This proposal reflects Cudjoe’s broader vision for a private sector-led economy, where individuals and businesses are empowered to take on significant roles in national development projects.
Franklin Cudjoe on the Cape Coast Airport Proposal
Moreover, Franklin Cudjoe has further voiced skepticism regarding the inclusion of a Cape Coast airport in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) manifesto.
Franklin Cudjoe made a critical stance which is rooted in concerns about the feasibility and necessity of the project for the Central Region. In his view, the proposal represents a misplaced priority in the context of Ghana’s broader development needs.
Franklin Cudjoe began by questioning the overall necessity of an airport in Cape Coast, particularly when considering the existing travel infrastructure and needs of the region.
“I’m not too sure travel is fine It’s good but within Accra and Cape Coast, I mean, putting up airports all over the place…We are racing to dash off this country, so that we travel in record time, maybe through time and space. I seriously don’t think this airport is needed at all.”
Franklin Cudjoe founding president and CEO of IMANI-Africa
Franklin Cudjoe suggested that the push for an airport in Cape Coast may be more of a political gesture than a response to an actual transportation need.
However, Franklin Cudjoe criticized what he perceives as an unnecessary proliferation of airports across the country, remarking that it seems as though “we are racing to dash from this country so that we travel in record time …through time and space.”
This metaphorical language underscored his belief that the focus on building airports might be driven by an ill-considered desire to modernize through high-profile projects rather than addressing the most pressing needs of the populace.
Instead of investing in an airport, Franklin Cudjoe advocated for the expansion and improvement of the region’s road network. He argued that this would be a more practical and beneficial use of resources, particularly for enhancing the connectivity of the Central Region.
Franklin Cudjoe also touched on the experiential aspect of road travel, pointing out that driving offers an opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the region. He contrasts this with the quick, utilitarian nature of air travel, stating;
“You also would appreciate nature… you pick a plane from here to Cape Coast, probably 20 minutes, and then you are there. I mean, it’s not a common matter.”
Franklin Cudjoe founding president and CEO of IMANI-Africa
Franklin Cudjoe’s critique of the Cape Coast airport proposal highlighted concerns about resource allocation and the true needs of the Central Region and Ghanaians at large.
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