Roads Minister orders Highway Authority CEO to terminate contract for Bogoso–Prestea road due to non-performance

The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has directed the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Highways Authority, Mallam Issah Ishak, to immediately begin the process of terminating the contract awarded to Black Oak over delays on the Bogoso–Prestea Road project.

According to official reports, the road contract was awarded in 2025, but the contractor only mobilised to the project site in March 2026. After carrying out initial vegetation clearing activities along portions of the road corridor, the contractor allegedly abandoned the project, citing the absence of the road’s final design documentation.

Further assessments conducted by the Regional Highways Engineer reportedly revealed that less than two percent of the total project work has been completed since commencement.

Minister Agbodza issued the directive during an inspection tour of ongoing “Big Push” infrastructure projects in the Western Region.

Although the Bogoso–Prestea Road is not officially classified under the government’s Big Push initiative, the Minister emphasized that the road remains a high-priority infrastructure project because of its strategic importance to transportation, trade and mining activities within the region.

“We will not allow any contractor to delay this project,” Mr. Agbodza stated during the inspection exercise.

The Roads and Highways Minister instructed the Ghana Highways Authority to expedite all necessary administrative procedures required for the contract termination in order to pave the way for a new contractor or alternative intervention to resume work without further delays.

The Bogoso–Prestea Road has long been a major concern for residents, commuters and businesses due to its deteriorating condition and its importance as a key transportation route within Ghana’s mining belt.

The government has repeatedly identified road infrastructure improvement as a major component of its national development agenda, particularly under ongoing road expansion and rehabilitation programmes.

As of the time of filing the report, attempts to reach Black Oak for an official response to the allegations and the proposed contract termination had reportedly been unsuccessful.