Big Push contractors not owed money despite GH¢6.5bn spend – Forson

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has defended the government's spending pace on its flagship Big Push infrastructure programme, asserting that no contractors are owed money despite only GH¢6.5 billion of the GH¢30 billion annual allocation being disbursed so far.

Speaking on JoyNews' PM Express on Wednesday, July 23, Dr Forson explained that the apparent low expenditure rate of 21.6 per cent does not signal payment delays or implementation failures. Instead, he emphasised that funds are released only after contractors complete work, submit certified payment certificates, and those documents are verified by relevant authorities.

"All certificates for Big Push has been processed and paid for. And so until certificate comes to you, you cannot spend on it," Dr Forson stated, clarifying that the GH¢6.5 billion already spent represents certified, verified work that has satisfied all approval requirements.

How the Payment System Works

The Finance Minister outlined the multi-stage verification process road contractors must navigate before receiving payment. Certificates originate from contractors who have completed specific work phases. These documents then pass through the relevant road agency for initial verification—Urban Roads for urban projects, for example.

Once verified at the agency level, the certificate moves to the Ministry of Roads and Highways for ministerial approval. Only after this step does it reach the Finance Ministry for final processing and payment authorisation. Dr Forson insisted that any certificate meeting these requirements receives prompt payment.

"Today as we speak, I don't know if a contractor who has generated a certificate in the last, let's say, one month that has not been paid, unless it has not gotten to me," he said, stressing the government's commitment to honouring certified claims.

Why It Matters for Ghana

The Big Push programme represents a significant investment in Ghana's road infrastructure, with Parliament approving the full GH¢30 billion allocation specifically for this purpose. Understanding the payment mechanism is crucial for Ghanaians concerned about infrastructure delivery and contractor welfare.

The relatively slow spending rate—with GH¢23.5 billion remaining unspent midway through the year—has raised public questions about programme effectiveness and potential arrears accumulation. Dr Forson's clarification addresses these concerns by emphasising that the spending pace reflects the natural rhythm of construction work rather than financial constraints or payment failures.

He noted that some projects were awarded later in the year, meaning they are only now reaching stages where contractors can submit payment certificates. He expects acceleration in the third and fourth quarters as more projects mature and generate billable work.

The Finance Minister also highlighted progress on flagship projects, citing the Accra-Kumasi Expressway where the Ghana Armed Forces has cleared 176 kilometres of road corridor, suggesting the Big Push is delivering tangible results despite the measured expenditure rate.

Ring-Fenced Funds and Accountability

Dr Forson emphasised that funds approved by Parliament for Big Push projects cannot be diverted to other government priorities. This ring-fencing mechanism ensures the full allocation remains available exclusively for road construction, providing assurance that resources will not be redirected to unrelated purposes.

"This is road construction. Somebody will have to work. It takes a while to work. You work, you bring certificate, we pay you. I cannot use that money for something else," he stressed, underscoring the government's fiduciary responsibility to maintain programme integrity.