Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has ordered an immediate reduction in the scope of work awarded to two contractors over what he describes as disappointing progress on the road projects.
By his directive, the rehabilitation of Wenchi- Sawla Road being undertaken by China International Water Electric Ghana Engineering Limited will be reduced from 50 kilometres to 25 kilometres, while the rehabilitation of Wenchi- Sawla road (Km 75+000 – Km 100+000) including Bamboi (3km) and Banda Nkwanta (2km) town road undertaken by Poly Changda Oversea Engineering Company Limited will also be reduced from 50 kilometres to 25 kilometres.
For the Wenchi- Sawla Road, first half was awarded on November 12, 2025 while the remaining 25km was awarded on September 18, 2025.
For Poly Changda Oversea Engineering Company Limited, the company was awarded the first 25km of the rehabilitation of Wenchi- Sawla Road (Km 50+000 – Km 75+000) on September 29, 2025 while a 30km rehabilitation of Wenchi- Sawla Road (Km 75+000 – Km 100+000) including Bamboi (3km) and Banda Nkwanta (2km) town roads was awarded on same date.
According to the Minister, the decision was taken in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Highways Authority after assessing the contractors’ mobilisation on the project.
“The mobilisation I see does not match the expectation,” Mr Agbodza said after inspecting work done on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
“I with the Chief Executive Officer of Highways Authority descope China International Waters’ project to 25km and Poly Changda Oversea Engineering Company Limited from 50 km to 25 km immediately,” he added.
He explained that the government would introduce two new contractors to take over the portions removed from the existing contractors in order to inject greater dynamism into the project.
“We will introduce two new contractors who are capable of introducing some dynamism on this stretch,” he stated.
Mr Agbodza said the two companies would be closely monitored over the next two months to asertain their progress to complete the remaining portions of their respective projects.
He warned that should the contractors fail to improve their performance within the period, the government take away the remaining portions of the contracts.
“We will monitor the remaining 25 kilometres for two months. If they can’t, then we take the rest away from them,” the Minister said.
Describing the situation as “completely disappointing,” Mr Agbodza said the government’s decision to descope the contracts was an interim measure aimed at preventing further delays and ensuring that new capable contractors will be awarded the contract to accelerate the work.
Meanwhile, the Minister has commended China Railway Network 5 for being ahead of schedule.
He praised the company as the only contractor on the corridor to make significant progress with their project.
“Keep working, it is very important. I want to commend you for being the only contractor that takes the work serious on this corridor. We acknowledge those who take this work seriously,” he noted.
