The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GhCCI) has warned contractors executing projects under the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme against delays and poor performance, saying it will take action against firms that undermine the credibility of the local construction industry.
Chief Executive Officer of GhCCI, Emmanuel Cherry, said contractors awarded projects under the programme must accelerate work, strengthen collaboration with subcontractors and mobilise adequate resources to meet project timelines.
Speaking at a consultative forum on sustainable infrastructure financing in Accra, Mr Cherry expressed concern that local construction firms were not taking full advantage of funds allocated to the government’s infrastructure programme.
“As we speak, we have not even exhausted half of the GH¢40 billion budget allocated for the Big Push for last year and this year,” he said.
He cautioned that slow execution could affect future allocations to the programme, including the amount earmarked for 2027.
Mr Cherry said the Chamber would not sit unconcerned while contractors delayed projects and created a negative perception about the capacity of Ghanaian construction firms.
He warned that if contractors “loaf around” with projects awarded to them and consequently bring the local construction industry into disrepute, the Chamber would “go after” such contractors.
He urged construction firms to embrace subcontracting, provide smaller contractors with the necessary resources and adopt round-the-clock operations where necessary to accelerate project delivery.
“If we really want to make record time, then the 24 working hours must come into play within the construction cycle,” he said.
Mr Cherry also encouraged main contractors to consider pre-financing subcontractors instead of requiring them to wait for government payments before receiving funds to execute their portions of projects.
Build Capacity to Seize Opportunities — Minister
Minister of Works and Housing, Ahmed Ibrahim, meanwhile, urged Ghanaian construction companies to expand their capacity and competitiveness to benefit from the government’s infrastructure drive.
“As Ghana expands its infrastructure, we must ensure that the industry expands. Ghana is entering an important phase of infrastructure development, and this will increase opportunities for local contractors and engineers,” he said.
He stressed that Ghana must not only expand its infrastructure but also build indigenous firms capable of competing both locally and internationally.
Mr Ibrahim urged contractors to deliver quality work that would strengthen confidence in local companies and improve their chances of securing future government contracts.
He also encouraged local construction firms to establish strategic partnerships that would enhance their capacity to undertake major projects.
The Minister criticised contractors who secure large government projects but refuse to subcontract portions of the work to smaller local firms, even when they lack the capacity to execute the entire contract efficiently.
He said Ghanaian contractors should not be regarded merely as a source of labour but as businesses capable of executing major infrastructure projects when given the necessary opportunities and support.
The government’s Big Push programme forms part of a broader nationwide infrastructure drive covering major roads and other projects. The 2026 Budget allocated GH¢30 billion to the programme, while President John Dramani Mahama said in February that 50 major road projects covering 1,144 kilometres were underway at an estimated cost of GH¢50 billion.
