Three civil society organisations (CSOs), BidgIt Ghana, ISODEC and Revenue Mobilisation Africa have called on government to provide full disclosure on the financing and disbursement of the GH¢30 billion Big Push infrastructure programme, warning that the lack of transparency risks turning the initiative into another avenue for corruption and political patronage.
The Big Push, announced as a flagship government programme under the government’s 24-Hour Economy Policy, is expected to fund major road, bridge, and logistics projects across the country. Parliament has already approved multi-year commitments for 33 road projects, including the Accra–Kumasi Expressway and the Ekye Amanfrom–Adawso Bridge. However, CSOs argue that beyond the headline figures, citizens have been left in the dark about how the programme will be financed and how contracts are being awarded.
According to procurement data reviewed by watchdog groups, more than 76 percent of contracts under the Big Push have been awarded through single sourcing, amounting to over GH¢73 billion. CSOs say this undermines competitive bidding and raises serious concerns about value for money. They insist that project-level disclosures are necessary, including details on allocations, contract awards, procurement methods, financing sources, timelines, and progress updates.
BudgIT Ghana’s Country Director, Jennifer A. Moffatt, stressed that transparency cannot be replaced with promises. “The Big Push Programme does have the potential for real development in Ghana, but citizens are entitled to know what has been approved, how much is going to each project, and what the timelines are; otherwise, there is no accountability,” she said.
The demand for disclosure comes at a time when public trust in government spending is low, following repeated scandals involving inflated contracts and stalled projects. Analysts warn that without clear accountability mechanisms, the Big Push could fail to deliver its intended benefits of job creation and infrastructure renewal.
CSOs are urging Parliament, the Auditor-General, and the Ghana Institution of Engineering to conduct independent audits and publish findings to ensure transparency. They argue that the government’s credibility on its 24-Hour Economy Policy hinges on whether the Big Push is managed openly and responsibly.
