A Professor of Finance and Economics at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Prof. Godfred Bokpin, has strongly criticized the government for its mismanagement of public funds, particularly with respect to questionable projects like the 1 Village 1 Dam initiative.
Prof. Bokpin highlighted inefficiency in public spending as a significant issue facing the country, pointing out that many government-funded projects often fail to deliver real value for money. He cited the Flower Pot Interchange as a prime example of a project where costs are frequently inflated without delivering corresponding benefits.
Inefficiency in Public Projects
Prof. Bokpin noted that although the government has invested substantial sums in constructing interchanges and dams, many of these projects have turned into white elephants. He drew attention to the fact that while large amounts are spent on infrastructure, basic issues like poor road conditions remain unresolved across the country.
“There are instances where we have spent taxpayers’ money to construct dams, supposedly, and you may find that potholes on our roads actually hold more water than the dams we’ve constructed,” he remarked.
Flower Pot Interchange Project Cost Controversy
The Flower Pot Interchange, which was originally awarded in 2016 for GH¢69.5 million under the previous NDC government, has faced controversy due to its escalating costs. By 2017, the project’s cost had risen to GH¢147 million, and under the current Nana Addo-led government, the cost has approached nearly GH¢1 billion.
James Amoo-Gottfried, the Director-General of the National Roads Authority (NRA), explained that the cost increase was attributed to an expanded scope of work. Originally planned to involve two overpasses with a combined bridge length of about 120 metres, the final design includes about 1,022 metres of bridge length.
“The initial scope was entirely different. It was to involve two overpasses: one over the Flower Pot roundabout and another across the motorway (Accra-Tema Motorway), totaling about 120 metres of bridge length. What we have now is about 1,022 metres of bridge length,” Amoo-Gottfried explained.
Call for Credible Leadership and Prudent Resource Allocation
Prof. Bokpin emphasized the need for prudent resource allocation, especially in the context of rising costs of living as the country approaches the 2024 general elections. He called for credible leadership to address the inefficiency in public spending and to create a more favorable investment climate for the country’s development.
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“There’s a need for leadership that prioritizes the wise use of our scarce resources. If the government constructs an interchange and you compare its cost to world averages, you’ll see inefficiency,” Prof. Bokpin noted.
Over the years, many Ghanaians, particularly those from opposition political parties, have criticized the One Village, One Dam program for failing to meet its intended objectives. Prof. Bokpin reiterated the need for the government to focus on effective resource management and long-term development strategies.
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