By: Evans Attah Akangla| ignewss|
The Auditor-General’s Performance Audit Report on the construction of Cocoa roads in Ghana has unveiled a total contract sum of Ghc18.2 billion between 2015 and 2020.
This significant amount is associated with a total length of 7,054km in road contracts awarded by the government of Ghana through COCOBOD.
The report, signed by Auditor General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu and submitted to the Right Hon. Speaker’s office of Parliament in accordance with Article 187(2) of the Ghanaian constitution and Sections 13e and 16 of the Audit Service Act 2000 (Act 584), reveals the challenges faced in the execution of these crucial road projects.
In response to the identified issues, the government of Ghana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Roads and Ghana Highways, launched the Cocoa Road Improvement Programme (CRIP) in 2025. COCOBOD, serving as the implementing agency, aimed to address the persistent challenges of poor roads in Cocoa-growing areas.
The objective of CRIP, as stated in the report, is to improve approximately 2,900km of roads, facilitating the smooth and fast transportation of Cocoa beans from farmlands to purchasing centers to mitigate post-harvest losses.
However, the report notes that an additional 4,100km of road contracts were awarded in 2020, bringing the total funds allocated to Ghc18.2 billion for the improvement of roads in Cocoa-growing regions.
Despite the ambitious targets, the report indicates a shortfall in the implementation of CRIP. Out of a planned 7,000km of road (500 contracts), only 1,790km (115 contracts) had been completed as of October 2022. Furthermore, 5,210km (329 contracts) were still ongoing, and 56 contracts had been terminated. Contractors have voiced concerns about delayed payments from COCOBOD affecting their cash flow and disrupting project timelines.
To evaluate the value for money in planning and implementation, the Auditor General’s report involved a review of documents, inspection of 14 out of 35 selected Cocoa roads, and interviews with key personnel from COCOBOD, the Department of Feeder Roads, Ghana Highways, and contractors in selected regions.
The Auditor General’s observations highlighted a failure to prioritize projects in line with funding constraints, leading to delayed payments and an inability to meet contractual timelines.
This, in turn, has hindered the successful completion of road projects vital to the Cocoa industry. As stakeholders await further action, the report underscores the need for urgent attention to address the challenges hindering the effectiveness of the Cocoa Road Improvement Programme.
Source: www.ignewss.com|Ghana