Workers of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) have warned that the government’s flagship “Big Push” infrastructure agenda could be undermined if longstanding concerns over poor resourcing and obsolete equipment are not urgently addressed.
The unionised staff say operational constraints, including inadequate logistics, weak enforcement systems and outdated machinery, are limiting the Authority’s ability to effectively support the programme aimed at expanding and improving the country’s road network.
Speaking to Citi News on Wednesday, May 6, the National Chairman of the Ghana Highway Authority Workers Union, Noble Boble Yasroku, questioned how the Authority could successfully deliver on the ambitious infrastructure agenda under current conditions.
“How can we effectively support the Big Push when we are poorly resourced? We lack vehicles for monitoring projects, and our laboratories do not have the necessary equipment for testing construction materials. Most of our equipment is obsolete and needs urgent replacement,” he said.
According to him, some regional offices operate with only a few functioning vehicles, making it difficult for engineers to supervise projects spread across long distances.
He said in certain cases, officials travel for several hours to monitor construction sites due to logistical shortages.
The workers also raised concerns over weak enforcement at axle load stations, which they claim is being compounded by political interference.
According to the union, the situation is allowing overloading by heavy-duty vehicles to continue unchecked, threatening the durability of roads and undermining investments in infrastructure.
They further alleged that some axle load stations have effectively been taken over by party-affiliated individuals who collect fines without proper accountability, depriving the state of revenue.
“This is public money that should go into government coffers, but it is being diverted. Without strict enforcement and improved working conditions, investments in road infrastructure risk being eroded prematurely,” the union said.
The workers are calling on the government to urgently retool the Authority, strengthen enforcement systems and shield its operations from political interference to safeguard the success of the “Big Push” initiative.
