A Project Officer of SMAid International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mr Elimelec Osei-Bempong has implored the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to constantly monitor contractors working on their projects to ensure quality work delivery.

Mr Osei-Bempong made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kukuom in the Asunafo South District of the Ahafo Region after a monitoring exercise of some Ghana Strengthen Accountability Mechanism (GSAM) projects being implemented in that district.

Earlier, he inspected some projects in the Sunyani West Municipality in the Bono Region.

GSAM, a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project, seeks to strengthen citizens’ oversight of capital development projects in order to improve local government transparency, accountability and performance.

These projects include educational, social, economic and health facilities like classroom blocks with offices and toilet facilities, market stalls, clinics, nurses and doctors bungalows.

Under GSAM, the residents of beneficiary communities will be equipped with skills and the knowledge to demand accountability from duty-bearers in order to justify funding from donor partners.

Mr Osei-Bempong said most of the projects that had been awarded on contract for over two years were still not completed whilst those finished did not meet the expected quality standard.

He said although some of the projects designed to improve the living standards of the beneficiary communities were completed, they had not been handed over to the residents. 

Mr Osei-Bempong said details of contracts as to the quality of work and completion schedules should be clearly outlined to contractors before awarding of any contract so that any breach of it would attract the necessary sanctions for the interest of the public.

He said any contractor found to have done shoddy work must be made to face the full rigours of the law as a deterrent to others.

Mr Osei-Bempong urged the beneficiary communities to adhere to regular maintenance practices so as to prolong the lifespan of the projects.