Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Opanin Kofi Agyekum, has criticised the ongoing debate in the media about sole-sourcing contracts under the government’s Big Push programme.

Big push is an initiative aimed at bridging the country’s critical infrastructure deficit and stimulating long-term development.

Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on April 7, 2026, Professor Agyekum accused politicians of “playing with the intelligence of Ghanaians.”

He noted that practices the ruling government once condemned while in opposition are now being repeated in office.

According to him, it is unacceptable for project contracts to be awarded through sole sourcing.

“Sometimes when you think about some of these things and compare them to the Big Push, its unnerving. As they claim, about 70% of the contracts are sole sourced. Then what are they trying to tell us? The same thing they spoke against… It is surprising,” he said.

He stressed that contracts under the Big Push should be transparent and not rushed through sole sourcing.

“The same politicians, who criticised opponents when issues arise, are the same people you find defending the situation. Until when will a government come and truly serve the nation instead of wrecking it?” he asked.

Professor Agyekum lamented that corruption persists because “those who try to steal from the state do not fear any consequences,” adding that politicians often portray themselves as the best option when seeking power.

He, however, commended President John Dramani Mahama for ordering an investigation into the project.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has told Parliament that only 44% of major contracts under the Big Push programme were awarded through sole sourcing, contrary to reports by an online portal.

He explained that the Ministry awarded over 400 contracts through open competitive bidding, describing the process as “unprecedented.”

“Records show that from 2017 to 2024, almost all projects carried out by the Ministry were sole sourced,” Agbodza said.

Updating Parliament on the programme’s implementation, he emphasised that given the scale, urgency, and national importance of the project, a mix of procurement methods was used in line with the law.

“It would be mischievous for any right-thinking member of society to conclude that the Ministry of Roads and Highways only procured works through sole sourcing,” he added.

President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an investigation into allegations of “unmerited” sole sourcing in the award of road contracts under the Big Push programme.

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Speaking at the Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on March 30, 2026, the president said details of the investigation by The Fourth Estate, which published the allegations, should be presented to his office.

He further instructed the Ministry of Roads and Highways to respond to all claims made in the report.

“While sole sourcing is legal under certain circumstances under our current procurement law, we all agree that open, transparent tenders are always preferable for achieving competitive pricing and value for money,” President Mahama stated.



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