In a significant policy reversal, the Ministry of Roads and Highways has announced the suspension of the National Roads Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1118), to facilitate further stakeholder engagement. This decision underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised by key stakeholders within the road sector.
The Act, passed by Parliament in July 2024, aimed to streamline the management of Ghana’s road infrastructure by consolidating the Ghana Highway Authority, the Department of Urban Roads, and the Department of Feeder Roads into a single entity—the National Roads Authority. This unification was intended to enhance efficiency, coordination, and oversight in the development and maintenance of the nation’s road networks.
However, the implementation of Act 1118 has faced significant opposition from within the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA). In October 2024, GHA workers expressed strong reservations about the Act, citing concerns over potential bureaucratic delays and the erosion of the Authority’s autonomy. They argued that the centralization proposed by the Act could exacerbate existing operational challenges rather than resolve them.
In a formal petition to the President, the GHA workers emphasized the need for broader stakeholder consultations before the Act’s implementation. They stated, “The Act, in its current state, needs to be halted until a wider consultation is made and used to inform what institutional reforms are necessary.” Additionally, the workers demanded the immediate removal of two high-ranking officials: GHA Board Chairman Ing. I.K. Mensah and Chief Executive Ing. Collins B. Donkor. They accused both officials of neglecting engagement with staff during the drafting process and of endorsing a law that compromises GHA’s autonomy. The workers declared, “We have lost absolute confidence in their leadership,” asserting that the officials oversaw the Authority’s impending reduction to a division under the new National Roads Authority, a move they believe undermines the independence and effectiveness of GHA.
The workers’ petition also highlighted sections of the Act that could diminish the Authority’s operational autonomy. They referenced the World Bank’s 2022 Diagnostic Study for Transforming the Ghana Highway Authority, which recommended that GHA should become more autonomous, not subsumed under a larger body. The petitioners warned that if their demands were not met, they would embark on a series of actions, including an indefinite strike. They provided the government with a seven-working-day ultimatum to remove the two officials and a fourteen-working-day deadline to withdraw or revoke the National Roads Authority Act. They cautioned, “We will embark on a strike and lockout if our requests are not addressed,” and vowed to boycott GHA’s 50th-anniversary dinner with the President if their concerns were ignored.
In response to these developments, the National Labour Commission (NLC) intervened in December 2024, directing the government to suspend the implementation of the Act. This directive followed a closed-door meeting between the NLC, government representatives, and the Senior Staff Association and Workers Union of the Authority. The NLC emphasized the need for the government to engage with the workers to address their grievances and ensure a collaborative approach to resolving the issues surrounding the new legislation. Concurrently, the Commission instructed the workers to hold off on any planned industrial action, urging both parties to prioritize dialogue over confrontation to prevent disruptions in the country’s road infrastructure management.
Despite these assurances, tensions escalated when GHA workers declared an indefinite strike effective November 12, 2024, in protest against the government’s refusal to halt the implementation of the Act. The Ministry of Roads and Highways, through its Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Nasir Yartey, assured the public that the ongoing strike would not disrupt any ongoing road projects nationwide. Yartey explained that most government-funded road projects are managed by independent contractors who operate under binding contracts and are supervised by external consultants. This structure, he noted, creates a buffer against potential disruptions from GHA staff strikes, as the day-to-day project activities are carried out by private contractors rather than GHA personnel. He further emphasized that the Ministry is committed to meeting project timelines and maintaining progress on infrastructure development, reassuring the public that measures are in place to prevent any delays. Yartey stated, “I want to assure you that all ongoing road projects will go on uninterrupted and the Ministry doesn’t expect to see any road project halting.” He also acknowledged the concerns of the striking workers and made an appeal for dialogue and peaceful engagement, expressing confidence in the process recommended by the Labour Commission. He emphasized that dialogue could help to address the grievances of the workers without negatively affecting the larger infrastructure goals of the Ministry. Yartey appealed, “I want to appeal with the union that we are one family and so they should let us continue with our consultation and engagement so that at the end of the day, we can all find an amicable solution as was stated by the Labour Commission.”
The suspension of the Act’s implementation reflects the government’s recognition of the need for comprehensive stakeholder engagement to ensure that the restructuring of the road sector aligns with the interests of all parties involved. The Ministry of Roads and Highways has reiterated its commitment to collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to address concerns and work towards a more efficient and effective road infrastructure management system. This collaborative approach aims to balance the goals of institutional efficiency with the legitimate concerns of the workforce, ensuring that the nation’s road infrastructure development proceeds in a manner that is both inclusive and sustainable.
As the situation develops, it remains imperative for both the government and the Ghana Highway Authority workers to engage in constructive dialogue. Such engagement is crucial to resolving outstanding issues and ensuring that the objectives of the National Roads Authority Act are achieved without compromising the welfare and autonomy of existing institutions. The outcome of these discussions will significantly impact the future of Ghana’s road infrastructure management and the effectiveness of its implementation strategies.
