Roads and Highways Minister Kwame Governs Agbodza has issued a tough warning to road contractors across the country, declaring that government will no longer entertain extension requests from companies that abandon project sites or delay work without valid reasons.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, May 11, during a nationwide road inspection tour, the minister stressed that contractors who deliberately halt work for months cannot expect sympathy or additional time to complete their projects.
“It is a contract, and there must be a genuine reason before an extension can be granted. If you take a project and sleep on it for six months, you cannot later claim force majeure and ask for more time — not even for a day,” Mr. Agbodza stated.
His comments signal a stricter approach by the John Dramani Mahama administration toward contractor accountability, particularly as government pushes to complete several stalled and inherited road projects across the country.
The minister revealed that government has already paid GH¢12 billion out of an estimated GH¢40 billion owed to contractors for ongoing and inherited road works. According to him, the payments are expected to translate into visible progress on project sites.
Despite the tough stance, Mr. Agbodza clarified that government remains open to considering genuine cases where contractors face unforeseen challenges beyond their control. However, he insisted that firms must show commitment and continuous effort before any consideration for contract extension can be made.
“The Ministry and its agencies are reasonable people. If there is a challenge genuinely beyond your control, we can assess it. But if you simply abandon the site and refuse to work for a long period, you cannot later claim you need extra time,” he added.
To support his argument, the Roads Minister noted that some contractors are currently ahead of schedule on their projects, proving that timely delivery is achievable under the current conditions.
