Afenyo-Markin Criticizes Delay in Road Fund Board Setup: "Have You Failed the People Already?

 

Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has expressed frustration over the delay in the establishment of the Road Fund Board, accusing the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of exacerbating financial distress among contractors and businesses. Afenyo-Markin’s remarks came during the 2026 Budget debate in Parliament on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

The Minority Leader criticized the government's failure to establish the board, despite the importance of this body in ensuring timely payments to contractors who have taken out loans to complete state projects. According to Afenyo-Markin, this delay has had severe consequences for businesses, many of which are struggling to pay their workers due to the lack of government payments.

“This delay is a reflection of broader administrative inefficiencies that have been introduced as part of your so-called 'resets'," Afenyo-Markin stated. "I will refrain from calling it incompetence, but anyone observing this situation would naturally question why a government with the opportunity to put in place its governance structures has failed to establish the Road Fund Board."

Afenyo-Markin pointed out that the government had previously amended the relevant legislation to facilitate the establishment of the board, but this has not been acted upon. He emphasized the negative impact on businesses: “Ghanaian businesses that have taken loans from banks are not being paid for their work. Their employees are at home, and they are unable to meet payroll obligations. And the simple reason for this is the government’s neglect to set up the board for over 10 months.”

The Minority Leader also challenged the governing party’s claim of having a capable team, questioning why qualified individuals had not been appointed to the board. “I thought you had the men," he remarked. "Some MPs who have no portfolio, who aren’t on any boards—why are they not being appointed to this one? You have qualified people in your government, yet you can’t set up a Road Fund Board.”

Afenyo-Markin called on the government to provide a clear explanation for the continued delay and to offer transparency regarding the utilization of funds that have already been released into the Road Fund. “Have you failed the people of Ghana already, or are you about to fail them?" he asked. "You should explain why the Road Fund Board has not been set up, and what is being done with the funds that have been allocated.”

The delay in establishing the Road Fund Board remains a point of contention, as it continues to hinder the timely payment of contractors and aggravates the financial challenges facing many businesses in the country.

Source: MyNewsGh.com