Ghana’s construction industry has issued a dire warning over the government’s failure to settle GH₵35 billion in unpaid road sector contracts, a crisis they claim has triggered widespread economic stagnation.
Emmanuel Cherry, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry, argues that delayed payments have choked financial circulation, crippling banks, manufacturers, and workers reliant on contractor projects. “We are the economy’s bloodstream,” Cherry asserted during a recent interview. “When contractors aren’t paid, businesses collapse, jobs vanish, and suffering spreads.”
The staggering debt, accumulated under the previous administration, has left contractors unable to pay suppliers, service loans, or compensate laborers, creating a ripple effect across sectors. Cherry likened contractors to “economic distributors,” stressing that their payments fuel activity in transportation, raw material production, and retail. “The trader selling cement, the truck driver hauling gravel, the bank that lent us funds—all are stranded when the government withholds our dues,” he explained.
The crisis has intensified public frustration over rising living costs, with Cherry linking soaring prices to the liquidity freeze. “When construction halts, incomes dry up. How can families afford food or school fees?” he questioned, urging the current government to prioritize clearing arrears to “restore economic circulation.” Analysts warn the backlog risks deeper recessionary trends, as stalled infrastructure projects deter investment and erode confidence in state contracts.
Critics accuse past leaders of leveraging the construction sector for political gain while neglecting fiscal responsibilities. “Unfinished roads and unpaid bills are monuments to poor planning,” said Accra-based financial Journalist Roger A. Agana. “Settling these debts isn’t charity—it’s an economic imperative.”
With contractors threatening legal action and protests, the government faces mounting pressure to address what industry leaders call a “ticking time bomb.” For Ghana, the path to recovery may hinge on whether it can mend broken promises—and revive the sectors that keep its economy alive.
