The Minister for Roads and Highways has warned staff of agencies under his Ministry, vowing to surcharge and sanction officials who authorize payments for substandard or incomplete road works.

Speaking at the government’s Accountability Series on Wednesday, July 30, the Minister said the move is aimed at restoring professionalism and ensuring the delivery of quality infrastructure across the country.

“Staff of my agencies who supervise, if you are working with Highways, Feeder Roads, Urban Roads, and you supervise or authorise payment for works that were not done or were not done properly, if we find you out, you will be surcharged. I think that is quite clear,” he stated.

“That’s the only way we can restore some sanity, and decency, and then also improve the quality of work,” he added.

• Read also: It’s untrue that Akufo-Addo completed 10,800km of road – Roads Minister

The Minister emphasised that the government is committed to raising standards within the road construction sector by holding both public officials and contractors accountable.

As part of new enforcement measures, contractors will now be required to demonstrate competence and commitment before being awarded projects. He further revealed that contractors will be mandated to obtain performance bonds, which the government can redeem if the contractor fails to deliver without a valid explanation.

“We will insist that any contractor we engage must have the ability and readiness to execute the work. And we will back this with performance bonds, so that in case of failure, the state does not suffer loss,” he said.

The Minister has already dismissed claims that former President Akufo‑Addo’s administration built 10,800 kilometres of roads during its tenure.

The Minister emphasised that although the administration has delivered substantial progress in infrastructure, the often-cited figure is misleading.

"It was difficult to see the 10,800km of road President Akufo-Addo declared at a point in time that they had done. It was difficult to see even 1,000km of road in good condition in only one location, let alone 10,800km. Obviously, what the President said at that time was not factual," he told journalists.

Despite what he described as misstatements, the Roads Minister affirmed the government's continued commitment to expanding Ghana’s road infrastructure