Roads Minister issues final warning to contractor on stalled Have–Hohoe highway project

Ghana's Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Governs Agbodza has issued a stark ultimatum to contractor Greenhouse International Development Ltd., demanding significant acceleration of work on the Have–Hohoe Road Reconstruction Project or face immediate contract termination. During an inspection on July 8, 2026, the minister expressed frustration over the glacial pace of progress on the more than 50-kilometre highway, which has languished since 2012.

The contractor now faces a critical two-month window to demonstrate at least 20 per cent project progress—a clear benchmark that will determine whether the company retains the contract. Mr. Agbodza warned that failure to meet this target will trigger the government's search for a replacement contractor capable of delivering results on the long-overdue infrastructure initiative.

Years of stagnation despite government support

The Have–Hohoe road has become a symbol of project mismanagement in Ghana's infrastructure landscape. Although construction commenced in 2012 under a previous administration, successive governments—including the current one—have continued financial support and prioritised outstanding contractor payments as part of the Big Push infrastructure programme. However, Mr. Agbodza made clear that inadequate funding is no longer the bottleneck.

During the inspection, the minister observed that meaningful work was confined to a single small section of the corridor, with the vast majority of the 50-kilometre stretch showing minimal or zero activity. The contractor's explanation for the delays fell short of justification in the minister's assessment. He noted that Greenhouse International currently operates with insufficient equipment and manpower for a project of this scale and urgency, relying on a single construction team based at Hokwe rather than deploying multiple gangs simultaneously.

Mr. Agbodza directed the company to immediately increase its workforce and equipment deployment across multiple work fronts to achieve measurable momentum. The specificity of the 20 per cent progress requirement within two months leaves no ambiguity about government expectations.

Why it matters for Ghana

The Have–Hohoe corridor represents a critical link in Ghana's national trunk road network. Communities along the route have endured fourteen years of disruption, economic inefficiency and deteriorating road conditions while awaiting completion. The project's persistent delays reflect broader challenges in Ghana's infrastructure sector regarding project oversight, contractor accountability and execution capacity.

The minister's decisive intervention signals a shift towards stricter performance management of major contractors. If Greenhouse International loses the contract, a changeover to a new contractor will likely cause further delays as mobilisation occurs, underscoring the real cost of underperformance. For residents and businesses dependent on this highway, the two-month window represents a final opportunity to see tangible progress after years of broken promises.

The government's inclusion of contractor payments in the Big Push programme demonstrates political will to unlock stalled projects, yet enforcement of delivery standards is equally essential. The Have–Hohoe situation illustrates that capital alone cannot resolve infrastructure delays—active project management, contractor discipline and willingness to change course are equally vital components of successful execution.