Contractors chase Mahama for cash

Contractors who were engaged by government to construct the roads in cocoa-growing areas are demanding the payment of their 18 months’ arrears amounting to about US$100 million.

According to the contactors, the statement by Ato Forson, a Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning that they had been paid was false.

The contractors alleged that the monies released by the Ministry to the COCOBOD for their payment had been used to settle debt.

Speaking to in a telephone interview yesterday, Nana Agyenim Boateng, an executive member of the Concerned Contractors Association of Ghana, said if government fails to pay them after two weeks, they would advise themselves. Meanwhile, a letter sighted by , which was authored by the Finance Minster, Seth Terkper to the management of Cocoa Roads dated 8th October, 2014, said the sector has been bedeviled with challenges.

It said the management of roads that support government’s objective of growing the Cocoa Subsector has been bedeviled by a number of challenges in recent times, adding that these challenges include accurate determination of the scope of roads covered and timely release of funds for payment for work done to ensure value for money.

It said there was an agreement that COCOBOD should take responsibility for cocoa roads to minimize the challenges identified.

According to Seth Terkper, a subsequent communication on the subject would be forwarded to management of Cocoa Roads in respect of outstanding payment certificates for the necessary action to be taken.

“You would have to work with the Ministry of Roads and Highways to keep us informed.”