Philanthropist and businessman Kwame Ampofo, popularly known as Ortega, has called on the Government of Ghana and Parliament to take decisive steps to address the growing problem of stalled and abandoned road projects across the country by revoking contracts awarded to non-performing contractors and creating room for capable private individuals to complete such projects.
Mr. Ampofo expressed deep concern over what he described as the unacceptable pace of road infrastructure delivery in many parts of the country, noting that several communities continue to endure poor road networks due to delays and outright abandonment of projects. According to him, some contractors hold on to road contracts for years without making meaningful progress, thereby worsening transportation challenges, increasing vehicle maintenance costs, and slowing down economic activities.
He argued that the current system appears to shield underperforming contractors from strict sanctions, allowing them to retain contracts despite failing to meet agreed timelines and standards. Mr. Ampofo therefore urged both the Executive and the Legislature to strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure that any contractor who fails to honour contractual obligations is promptly stripped of the project.
“Government and Parliament must ensure that contractors who do not perform lose their contracts immediately. Those projects should then be reassigned to individuals or firms with the financial strength, technical expertise and logistical capacity to complete them within a reasonable timeframe,” he stated.
Drawing a comparison with developments in Nigeria, Mr. Ampofo noted that in some instances, wealthy individuals in that country have used personal resources to construct roads and other social amenities in their communities instead of relying solely on government intervention. He believes Ghana can adopt a similar approach by creating a flexible legal and policy framework that encourages responsible private sector participation in infrastructure delivery.
He further observed that existing legal arrangements sometimes discourage such private interventions. According to him, where a road project has already been awarded to a contractor, any attempt by a well-meaning individual to complete or support the project could trigger legal disputes initiated by the original contractor.
“This discourages patriotic citizens who are willing to invest their personal resources into national development. The law must be reviewed to allow flexibility where contractors fail to perform,” he added.
Mr. Ampofo consequently appealed to the President and Members of Parliament to undertake a comprehensive review of the country’s road contract regime to promote transparency, enforce accountability, and guarantee the timely completion of critical infrastructure projects. He emphasized that reforms in the sector would not only accelerate road construction but also stimulate economic growth, improve market access for farmers and traders, and enhance overall national productivity.
Touching on mining activities, Mr. Ampofo called on government to establish dedicated and well-structured task forces in mining communities to ensure that degraded lands are properly reclaimed after operations. He stressed that rather than focusing solely on burning mining equipment at sites, authorities should adopt a more strategic and regulated approach that enables government to generate revenue to support national development.
According to him, no government can completely ban mining activities, given the sector’s significant contribution to employment and revenue. He therefore urged policymakers to put pragmatic measures in place to regularise and monitor the activities of small-scale miners, particularly in areas where mining serves as a major source of livelihood for the youth.
He maintained that a balanced approach would help create jobs, increase state revenue and at the same time ensure responsible mining practices that restore ecological balance and safeguard the livelihoods of affected communities.
Mr. Ampofo further advocated stricter monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that individuals and companies engaged in mining operations comply fully with environmental regulations. He emphasized that national development must go hand in hand with environmental protection, noting that sustainable practices remain essential to securing the country’s long-term prosperity.
He concluded by urging government, traditional authorities and community leaders to collaborate closely in protecting the nation’s natural resources while fostering responsible investment and accelerated infrastructure development across the country.
