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Former MP Petitions OSP Over Alleged $1.2M Per Km Road Costs

Former MP Petitions OSP Over Alleged $1.2M Per Km Road Costs

In a formal challenge to the transparency of the government’s flagship infrastructure agenda, Mr. Alex Djornobuah Tetteh, the former Member of Parliament for Sefwi Akontombra, has called for an immediate investigation into the "Big Push" programme.

In a scathing press statement, Mr. Tetteh petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to scrutinize all contracts awarded under the initiative, alleging that the use of sole sourcing has facilitated the "inflation of contract sums" and the "looting of state resources."


1. The "$1.2 Million per Kilometre" Allegation

The center of Mr. Tetteh’s grievance is a specific 30-kilometre stretch of the Enchi-Kodjour-Pakyi road in the Sefwi Akontombra District. He provided a detailed financial breakdown to justify his call for an OSP probe.

Project Component Reported Figure
Road Stretch Enchi-Kodjour-Pakyi (30 km)
Cost per Kilometre $1,252,779.68
Exchange Rate Used GH₵11.70 per $1.00
Total Estimated Value ~$37.5 Million (approx. GH₵440M)
Procurement Method Alleged Sole Sourcing

Mr. Tetteh argued that these "staggering" figures are indefensible, especially given the government's recent claims of lower inflation and a stabilized exchange rate in early 2026.


2. The Legal Threshold: Sole Sourcing & Accountability

The former MP emphasized that the Public Procurement Act limits the use of sole sourcing to specific emergency or highly specialized circumstances. He warned that if the OSP finds these contracts were awarded without competitive bidding as a "mischievous" shortcut, they could be rendered legally invalid.

Key Concerns Raised:

  • Value for Money: Comparing the $1.2M/km rate against standard regional averages for bituminous surfacing.

  • Economic Justification: Questioning why "outrageously inflated" sums are being approved during a period of supposed fiscal consolidation.

  • Public Trust: Protecting the taxpayer from what he described as "robbery in broad daylight."


3. Context: The "Big Push" Under Scrutiny

The "Big Push" is the administration's primary multi-billion dollar infrastructure vehicle designed to bridge the developmental gap across Ghana's 261 districts. However, the 2026 "Audit Reset" has seen several high-profile calls for oversight.

Current 2026 Oversight Snapshot:

  • Infrastructure: OSP petition regarding Sefwi Akontombra road costs.

  • Finance: GEXIM "Reset" focusing on MSME export-readiness (US$300M portfolio).

  • Law: Legal Education Reform Bill passing to end training monopolies.

  • Social: Calls for "Respite Care" instead of cash handouts for disability support.

The Bottom Line

The petition by Alex Tetteh represents an "Accountability Reset" for the Big Push initiative. By involving the OSP, the former MP is moving the debate from political rhetoric into the realm of criminal and forensic investigation. For the residents of Sefwi Akontombra, the focus remains on whether the Enchi-Kodjour-Pakyi road will be delivered with the transparency and quality promised under the 2025–2030 developmental roadmap.

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