Roads Ministry Announces Reforms to Guarantee Quality Bitumen in Road Construction

The Ministry of Roads and Highways is taking steps to crack down on substandard bitumen in road construction.

In a meeting with industry stakeholders earlier today, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Agbodza, emphasised the Government’s commitment to policy direction and a robust regulatory oversight that guarantees durable, cost-effective road infrastructure in this country, particularly for the ‘Big Push’ projects.

“The Government is resolute in its commitment to delivering road infrastructure that provides value for money for the people of Ghana,” he reiterated.

He said the reforms aim to strengthen regulations, introduce licensing, update technical specs, and track bitumen from source to site for total accountability.

To this end, the Minister has set up a technical working committee to ensure bitumen quality in the country’s road construction sector.

The Committee will also provide evidence-based policy advice to strengthen regulations, accreditation, and management of bitumen.

According to Agbodza, the goal is to ensure that only quality bitumen is used in the country, especially for the ‘Big Push’ projects.

The move is also geared at promoting a sustainable and cost-effective supply chain, enhancing transparency in procurement, and aligning Ghana’s standards with global best practices.

Stakeholders at the meeting welcomed the intervention and highlighted critical operational issues, including the absence of effective regulation governing imports, the negative influence of black-market activities, and persistent inconsistencies in product standards across different suppliers.

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