Extremely troubling revelations are emerging from an ongoing parliamentary investigation into the government’s controversial District Road Improvement Project (DRIP). Launched on July 31, 2024, by President Akufo-Addo, the initiative was touted as a game-changer for Ghana’s road infrastructure. Vice President Bawumia has aggressively promoted DRIP, often claiming sole credit for its conception and implementation. However, a parliamentary review, coupled with information obtained from Right to Information (RTI) requests, has unveiled alarming details about the project’s costs, procurement process, and questionable financial decisions.
Key findings from the investigation, led by Hon. Mahama Ayariga and corroborated by several sources, indicate that DRIP is riddled with irregularities:
1. Exorbitant Costs: The project has so far cost the Ghanaian taxpayer an astonishing US$178.7 million (GHS2.8 billion). The figure is expected to rise further as additional training, procurement of equipment, and recruitment costs are finalized. These expenses have been shouldered entirely by the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the fund.
2. Single-Sourced Contracts: Contrary to the government’s past promises to eliminate non-competitive procurement, the DRIP contract was single-sourced and awarded to J.A. Plantpool, part of the Zoomlion conglomerate. This arrangement has sparked accusations of cronyism and corruption, as the contract bypassed a competitive bidding process.
3. Fiscal Mismanagement: Despite the fanfare around DRIP, only 15% of the contract value—US$26.8 million—has been paid by the government. With a payment schedule extending over nine months, it appears the bulk of the financial burden will fall on a future NDC-led administration if they win the December 2024 elections.
4. Misuse of Resources: DRIP equipment, which was meant to improve Ghana’s road infrastructure, has been misappropriated in various constituencies. NPP parliamentary candidates and Municipal District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) have reportedly hijacked the equipment, using it for political gain by plastering party posters and using it in partisan campaigns.
5. Inadequate Transparency: There was no value-for-money audit conducted for the contract, and crucial details were not disclosed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has been closely monitoring Ghana’s fiscal discipline. This lack of transparency further compounds the suspicion of mismanagement.
6. Questionable Equipment Allocation: The number of heavy equipment items procured (including 400 tipper trucks, 700 concrete mixers, and 280 backhoes) does not align with Ghana’s 261 districts. The surplus raises concerns over potential corruption and misuse of funds. Meanwhile, essential equipment such as wheel loaders and bulldozers was under-ordered, adding to the project’s inefficiency.
This scandalous misalignment, coupled with the lack of parliamentary approval on several aspects of the project, paints a grim picture of the DRIP initiative. Bawumia’s boastful claim of chairing the Critical Roads Committee that spearheaded the project, along with his admission that parliamentary oversight was bypassed, raises red flags about governance under the Akufo-Addo administration.
To make matters worse, NDC members, who could potentially inherit the bulk of DRIP’s financial obligations, have been subjected to political harassment. In the Awutu Senya West constituency, three NDC members were arrested for removing NPP posters from DRIP equipment, highlighting the tensions around the project as election season intensifies.
This parliamentary inquiry has sparked serious questions about the ethical and fiscal management of the DRIP initiative. Critics argue that the government is leaving behind a trail of unsustainable debt, which a future administration will struggle to repay. As the investigation continues, there are growing calls for the government to be held accountable for its opaque and highly questionable handling of the District Road Improvement Project.
