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The newly appointed Minister of Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza, on Monday, 27th January 2025, visited the Ghana Highway Authority Head Office as part of his familiarization tour of all agencies under the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH).

Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza, who was in the company of the Ag. Chief Director, Ing. Amoo Gottfried and other officials of the Roads Ministry, was welcomed by the Ag. Chief Executive, Ing. Lawrence L. L Lamptey, his Deputies and Divisional Heads.

Ag. Chief Executive, Ing. Lawrence L. L. Lamptey giving his opening remarks.

The Acting Chief Executive, in his opening remarks, expressed the Authority’s delight at the appointment of the Honorable Minister. He noted that the Minister’s position as the longest-serving member of the Roads and Transport Committee makes him the ideal candidate for the role. Ing. Lamptey provided a brief history of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), outlined its current state, and gave an overview of its operations. He officially welcomed Honourable Agbodza and conveyed the Authority's readiness to support him in achieving success in his new role.  

Hon. Minister, Kwame Governs Agbodza (MP) addressing members of staff                 

On his part, Hon. Kwame Agbodza stated that roads are a very critical component of the economy, as the majority of Ghanaians rely on roads as their main source of transportation. He expressed his willingness to work with everyone to achieve a common goal, "I come here with a clean heart. I know some of you as schoolmates and friends, but I approach this role with a clean slate. It doesn’t matter whether we are friends or not; what matters is to have a common purpose to make the roads in Ghana better," he stated. 

The Honourable Minister highlighted several key concerns for Management to address, with the primary issue being the Ministry's unsustainable debt, which currently stands at approximately GHC 40 billion, excluding commitments. He explained that this figure primarily consists of unpaid certificates and accrued interest on delayed payments. The Minister emphasized that the continuous accumulation of such debts creates a public perception that the Ministry is either negligent in project management or complicit in the misuse of taxpayer funds.

A cross-section of staff at the meeting.

Addressing the implementation of the National Roads Authority (NRA) Act, Honourable Kwame Agbodza reiterated its purpose, clarifying that the Act was not intended to enhance the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) Act 540, as advocated by some interested parties, but rather to harmonize all sectors under the Ministry of Roads. He acknowledged the concerns raised about certain aspects of the new Act and expressed his willingness to address them. The Minister also added that he has called for a suspension of the NRA’s implementation to allow for reflection and resolution of the issues causing discontent, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace on the labor front. Regarding the NRA appointments that has already been made, the Minister stated that a communiqué would be sent to the Public Services Commission (PSC) to place those appointment letters on hold.

 Hon Minister, Kwame Governs Agbodza (MP) 

Concluding his address, Honourable Agbodza urged the Authority’s staff to prioritize efficient project management. He emphasized that efficient project management includes recommending the termination of projects that are no longer feasible, as this would significantly save resources. Other critical issues highlighted included:
•    Rapid deterioration of roads
•    Enforcing third-party performance bonds when contractors default
•    Issues surrounding compensations and litigations
•    Call for a national debate on road funding
•    The high cost of road construction in Ghana compared to other countries in the sub-region

•    A shift from "design and build" contracts, encouraging the Authority’s engineers to take on the design of certain road projects
•    A comprehensive audit of all existing projects

The Union Chairman and the Senior Staff Vice Chairman, during the open forum session, congratulated the Minister on his new appointment and presented a petition regarding the NRA Act.

Ing. Amoo Gottfried, the Acting Chief Director, Ministry of Roads and Highways addressing staff

In  closing, Ing. Amoo Gottfried, the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH), reiterated the Minister’s readiness to work with anyone who can assist in executing his mandate and advancing the vision of His Excellency the President.

Addressing the issue of poor salaries, the Acting Chief Director acknowledged the challenges in negotiating better conditions of service with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC). However, he expressed optimism that with improved performance, better compensation could be achieved in the future.

The meeting ended with members of staff expressing optimism in the newly appointed Minister, looking forward to a brighter future with renewed hope and a shared sense of purpose.