The Ministry of Roads and Highways has announced sweeping reforms to tackle the use of substandard bitumen in road construction, pledging stronger oversight and accountability across the sector.
At a stakeholder meeting held Tuesday, Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwame Agbodza, underscored government’s determination to guarantee durable and cost-effective road infrastructure under the flagship “Big Push” projects.
“Government is committed to ensuring that only high-quality bitumen is used in the country’s road sector, especially with the ‘Big Push’ projects. We are determined to institute a clear policy direction and a robust regulatory oversight that guarantees durable, cost-effective road infrastructure in this country,” he said.
He reiterated: “The Government is resolute in its commitment to delivering road infrastructure that provides value for money for the people of Ghana.”
Key Reform Measures
The reforms will:
- Strengthen regulations and introduce licensing requirements.
- Update technical specifications for bitumen use.
- Track bitumen from source to site to ensure full accountability.
To drive the initiative, the Minister has established a technical working committee tasked with monitoring bitumen quality, offering evidence-based policy advice, and guiding accreditation and regulation in the sector.
Hon. Agbodza explained that the reforms aim not only to guarantee quality materials for the Big Push projects but also to promote a sustainable supply chain, enhance transparency in procurement, and align Ghana’s standards with global best practices.
Stakeholder Response
Industry stakeholders welcomed the intervention, pointing to persistent challenges such as weak regulation of imports, black-market influence, and inconsistencies in product standards across suppliers.
The reforms are expected to mark a turning point in Ghana’s road construction sector, ensuring that infrastructure investments deliver long-term value and resilience.
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