The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, has defended the government’s decision to use sole sourcing for key road projects under the Big Push infrastructure programme, insisting that the process was lawful, justified, and transparent.
His response follows concerns raised by investigative outlet The Fourth Estate, which questioned procurement processes under the Big Push Agenda, including the extensive use of sole sourcing and possible cost inflation. The report also alleged that the Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, oversaw the award of 81 sole-sourced contracts valued at more than GH¢73 billion within seven months.
No Evidence of Wrongdoing
In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Sammy Gyamfi dismissed allegations of procurement breaches, stating that there was “not a scintilla of evidence” to support claims of wrongdoing. He maintained that all contracts awarded through sole sourcing were properly approved and complied with procurement laws.
According to him, all Big Push road contracts awarded through sole sourcing received approval from the Public Procurement Authority and were subjected to Value for Money audits, which confirmed that there were no irregularities in the contract awards.
He further explained that the urgency of the projects made sole sourcing necessary, adding that the contracts were awarded to multiple competent and experienced contractors, while payments are made strictly based on work certified by independent consultants.
Clarification on Inherited Projects
The statement also addressed what he described as misconceptions in some media reports, particularly claims that the current government had abused sole-sourcing procedures.
He explained that some reports mistakenly included 23 inherited road projects that were originally awarded by the previous NPP administration as part of the current government’s sole-sourced contracts.
According to him, projects such as the Suame Interchange, Ofankor-Nsawam road, and Adenta-Dodowa road were not re-awarded under the current administration but were rather novated and funded under the Big Push programme.
He noted that these distinctions were important for accurate reporting and public understanding of the procurement processes.
Sole Sourcing Justified by Urgency
Sammy Gyamfi also stated that although the NDC had previously criticised the unjustified use of sole sourcing, the party had never argued that all sole sourcing was illegal.
He explained that in the case of the Big Push projects, sole sourcing was fully justified due to the urgency of the road projects and the need to complete major infrastructure works within a limited timeframe.
He added that traditional competitive tendering processes could take over a year to complete due to administrative and technical procedures, which could delay major projects beyond 2028.
He cited previous infrastructure procurement processes, including the Road Toll project, where competitive tendering took a long period due to procurement complexities.
Government Maintains Transparency Position
The statement reinforces the government’s position that urgent national infrastructure projects can be legally executed through sole sourcing, provided the process follows procurement laws, receives the necessary approvals, and ensures value for money.
According to the government, the Big Push initiative is aimed at accelerating road infrastructure development across the country to improve transportation, support economic growth, and open up key economic corridors.