Culture of abandoned public projects must end; AG report estimates costs at GH¢49.7m

The Ghana Youth Leadership Academy (GYLA) has lamented the escalating crisis of abandoned public infrastructural projects nationwide, condemning them as devastating setbacks for countless communities.

GYLA’s concerns follow findings from the 2023 Attorney-General’s report, which indicates that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) continue to record irregularities in operations and management of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF). These irregularities include abandoned or delayed projects, as well as completed projects that have not been put to use.

Others are overpayment for work done, unremitted taxes, unsupported payments, unpresented payments vouchers, unaccounted funds, misapplication of funds, over-utilisation of Common Fund on administration expenditure and payment of judgment debts, among others.

In all, the report has it that in 2023 total irregularities stood at GH¢49.7million.

Echoing these concerns, GYLA 2024 Fellow Dorcas Antwi highlighted the widespread negative impact of these neglected projects – such as unfinished health centres, roads, schools and markets – on the social and economic fabric of affected areas.

She cited numerous abandoned projects such as a 12-unit class room block at Lashibi TMA School; Sunyani Regional Library; a 12-unit classroom block at Klagon TMA School, Sunyani Kotokrom Road and Odumase Road; and Sunyani Technical University Science Park Building.

The list also includes Jaman South E-Block Project; Krofrom Market; Paga-Sirigu Road; Zuarungu Meat Factory; Yendi Water Project; Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam; Bongo District Assembly Building; Sunyani Kotokrom/Yahima Road; Sunyani West Odumase Roads; Obopah E-block; Sekesua E-block and computer laboratory SDA primary and so on.

These unfinished projects, she fumed, “are not just physical eyesores; they represent lost opportunities for economic growth, education and healthcare. The lack of progress leaves many communities struggling to survive”.

“These projects, meant to be beacons of progress and symbols of hope, have instead become painful reminders of unfulfilled promises. Schools that should be nurturing the minds of our future leaders lie in ruins. Health centres that should be providing life-saving care are overgrown with weeds. Roads that should connect communities remain impassable, leaving people isolated and economies stagnant.

“This abandonment results in significant environmental hazards, economic losses and a decline of socio-economic growth in the affected communities,” she laments.

Attorney General’s report

According to the 2023 AG’s report, delayed or abandoned projects accounted for 72.53 percent of contract irregularities recorded. The report attributes this to local government authorities’ ‘inexplicable eagerness’ to initiate new projects while ongoing ones remain incomplete.

“As a result of limited funds and erratic inflow from DACF – coupled with inefficient IGF mobilisation to augment completion of the enormous projects awarded by Assemblies, the projects are delayed and eventually abandoned.

“We noted that 10 Assemblies expended a total amount of GH¢3,877,513 on 19 projects, which were at various stages of completion but had been abandoned/delayed for periods ranging between two months and seven years while new projects were being awarded,” the report stated.

Call to action

To end what GYLA described as “wasteful use of public resources”, the organisation advocated completing these projects to restore hope for communities that have been neglected.

The group also urged MMDAs to prioritise needs of the people over political expediency, saying they must ensure that every cedi spent on infrastructure serves the public good.

GYLA also urged traditional and religious leaders to use their influence for advocating these projects’ completion and holding leaders accountable.

“To the youth of Ghana, our future leaders: be the change-makers our nation needs. Get involved, speak out and hold those in power accountable; this is your future that is being compromised,” Ms. Antwi stressed.

Another fellow, Prince Yeboah, called for decisive action against those responsible for the abandonment of these projects.

He pointed out that despite the Auditor-General’s recommendations for punitive measures, little progress has been made – stressing a need for proactive measures to change the narrative.

Project Manager Adel E.S. Acquah also emphasised the urgent need to address this issue.

She noted that the academy, which annually trains 40 leaders from diverse backgrounds – including student unions, advocacy groups and political parties, has made completing these abandoned projects a priority.

“This year, our participants have embarked on a unified project to advocate for completing infrastructure projects that have been left to decay, causing socio-economic hardships for the communities they were intended to serve,” she stated.