The debate over Ghana's "Big Push" infrastructure programme intensified following allegations of widespread sole sourcing in the award of contracts, sparking a confrontation between government officials and civil society, procurement experts, and opposition figures. Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Alhassan Suhuyini, firmly rejected claims that government infrastructure projects are predominantly awarded through sole sourcing. Speaking on JoyNews Newsfile on Saturday, March 28, Mr. Suhuyini asserted that proper procurement processes are being followed in many instances, countering the narrative of pervasive sole sourcing. He stated, “Not all works are procured through sole sourcing, and the evidence is there,” further clarifying that a significant portion of the projects under the Big Push programme were not awarded through sole sourcing, a point he believes the opposition National Patriotic Party (NPP) might disagree with.

These comments emerged amidst a report by The Fourth Estate, a project of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), which brought procurement practices under the Big Push programme into sharp focus. The report alleged extensive use of sole sourcing and potential cost inflation, specifically claiming that 81 contracts, valued at over GH¢73 billion, were awarded through sole sourcing within a mere seven-month period. However, Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has consistently disputed these claims, maintaining that only 44% of major contracts under the programme were sole-sourced.

The government's position, however, has faced strong criticism from various quarters. Kobina Atta-Bedi, a management consultant and procurement specialist, strongly condemned the widespread resort to sole-sourcing for "Big Push" contracts. During the same JoyNews Newsfile discussion on March 28, Mr. Atta-Bedi insisted that "Under no circumstance should any of these contracts have passed for PPA approval for sole-sourced." He underscored that bypassing competitive bidding processes severely compromises transparency and accountability in public procurement. Atta-Bedi joined experts and analysts in challenging Minister Agbodza’s assertion regarding the 44% figure, urging the government to enhance oversight mechanisms, guarantee competitive procurement, and rebuild public trust in contract awards through strict adherence to proper procedures for sustainable infrastructure development.

Further compounding the concerns, Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), disclosed that some companies awarded sole-sourced contracts under the "Big Push" programme were only recently established. He highlighted a concerning case where "One of the firms awarded sole-sourced contracts in Big Push was created in January 2025," raising serious questions about the transparency and adherence to competitive bidding principles. Mr. Braimah also revealed that The Fourth Estate had to invoke the Right to Information Act to obtain contract details from the Ministry of Roads and Highways, following initial denials, and verified records with other agencies like the Ghana Highways Authority. He reiterated calls for more robust oversight and stringent enforcement of procurement laws, warning that awarding contracts to newly formed entities could undermine value for money and public confidence.

Adding a political dimension to the controversy, Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, criticised the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that the party has failed to deliver meaningful change despite its "reset" agenda. Speaking on JoyNews Newsfile on March 28, Mr. Baffour Awuah contended that the NDC's return to power was driven more by public dissatisfaction with the previous administration than by a superior policy alternative. He stated that the "only thing the NDC succeeded in resetting this country is by getting Ghanaians to reject the NPP for them to do worse," expressing concern that the current administration's performance, particularly in relation to the procurement issues highlighted by The Fourth Estate, falls short of public expectations and raises governance questions. He stressed that a true "reset" must be demonstrated through tangible improvements across key sectors, not just rhetoric. The Fourth Estate's report specifically noted that Minister Agbodza had overseen 81 sole-sourced contracts totaling over GH¢73 billion within seven months, a claim the Minister continues to dispute, stating only 44% of major contracts were sole-sourced. The intertwined issues of contract awards, transparency, and governance continue to fuel public debate and scrutiny of the government’s infrastructure agenda.