Editorial: GhIE invokes Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584) for ‘Big Push’

The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) is calling on the Audit Service to undertake an independent and comprehensive technical audit of road projects under government’s flagship ‘Big Push’ infrastructure programme.

The call comes amid growing concerns over procurement practices and project delivery.
Following investigations by ‘The Fourth Estate’, which uncovered widespread use of single-source procurement and restricted tendering in the award of contracts by the Ministry of Roads and Highways, public debate was triggered over value for money, transparency and compliance with procurement laws.

The ‘Big Push’ programme is a government-led infrastructure acceleration initiative designed to fast-track the delivery of critical national projects – particularly in roads, transport and economic corridors – to stimulate economic growth, improve connectivity, reduce logistics costs and support industrialisation.

GhIE believes programme’s the scale – which is estimated at GH¢110billion, with about GH¢85billion already committed – requires rigorous and independent scrutiny to safeguard the national interest.
“Such unprecedented public expenditure must be subjected to a credible audit process to ensure infrastructure delivery meets required standards and that every cedi invested yields measurable value and efficiency.”

While President John Dramani Mahama has issued a directive for the sector minister to respond to these allegations, the Institution maintains that the issues’ gravity demands an independent audit to provide objective findings and restore public confidence.

B&FT couldn’t have agreed with the GhIE more, since its observation involves public expenditure and nothing less than an independent audit is required to restore public confidence amid the Fourth Estate’s revelation.

GhIE grounds its request in Section 16 of the Audit Service Act, 2000 (Act 584), which empowers the Auditor-General to conduct special audits in the public interest and report to parliament.
The Institution wants the proposed audit to cover the full project lifecycle – from feasibility studies and engineering design to procurement, environmental and social compliance and implementation – cautioning that weaknesses at any stage could undermine cost-efficiency, quality and long-term sustainability.

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