Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson Says It Will Take 12 Years to Complete Stalled 55 Projects Left by NPP

The Finance Minister, Dr. Ato Forson, has revealed that it will take a minimum of 12 years to complete the 55 stalled infrastructure projects left behind by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

According to Forson, these unfinished projects, which span various sectors such as education, health, and transportation, have placed a significant strain on the country’s resources and development agenda.

“Some of these projects are Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Kejetia Market Phase 2, Bolgatanga-BawkuPulimakom road project and Tema-Aflao road
project.,” he stated.

Presenting the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government in Parliament, Dr. Forson expressed concern over the incomplete state of these critical projects, noting that they were originally meant to drive the country’s development and provide much-needed infrastructure for citizens.

He emphasized that the delays in their completion have had a long-term negative impact on the economy and the public’s trust in the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.

“This leaves a massive amount of about US$3 billion in undisbursed loans and about US$300 million in outstanding interim payment certificates (IPCs). Delayed payments and demobilization from site could result in cost over-runs of about US$1.1 billion,” the Finance Minister emphasized.

The Scale of the Problem

Dr. Forson explained that the 55 projects in question include schools, hospitals, roads, and other key infrastructure that were either abandoned or left incomplete by the previous administration. These projects were supposed to address critical gaps in the country’s development, but instead, they have now become a burden on the current government.

“These are not small projects. They are significant undertakings that are meant to serve the people of Ghana, but they have been left behind without proper attention. Some of these projects have been abandoned midway, while others have not received the necessary funding or support to be completed,” Forson noted.

The Finance Minister further pointed out that, due to the large number of stalled projects and the lack of proper planning and execution, it will take a considerable amount of time and resources to finish them. He estimated that completing all 50 projects would require at least 12 years, taking into account the country’s current economic conditions and fiscal constraints.

Impact on Development

The stalled projects are particularly concerning because they represent lost opportunities for Ghana’s growth and development. Dr. Forson emphasized that the uncompleted infrastructure projects could have helped to improve the standard of living for Ghanaians, providing better access to education, healthcare, and transportation, among other vital services.

However, the delays have not only hindered progress but have also caused financial strain on the government. Resources that could have been directed toward new projects or the expansion of existing initiatives have had to be diverted to attempt to complete the abandoned ones. This situation has added to the country’s already heavy debt burden and has made it more difficult to fulfill other development priorities.

“These projects were meant to improve the quality of life for Ghanaians, but instead, we find ourselves trying to fix the mismanagement of resources and time,” Forson said. “The current government has inherited this situation, and while we are doing our best to address the issue, it will take a long time to complete all of them, especially given the limited resources available.”

The Need for Accountability

In his statement, Dr. Forson also called for greater accountability in the management of government projects. He criticized the lack of oversight and poor planning that led to the abandonment of these projects, emphasizing that such inefficiencies must be addressed to avoid similar situations in the future.

“The government must be held accountable for its projects, especially when it comes to the timely execution of critical infrastructure. We cannot afford to continue with this pattern of stalled projects and wasted resources,” Forson said.

The Finance Minister urged both the private and public sectors to collaborate in finding solutions to speed up the completion of these projects. He suggested that public-private partnerships (PPPs) could be an effective way to bring in the necessary expertise and financing to move these projects forward.

A Call for Strategic Planning

Dr. Forson also stressed the importance of strategic planning in the management of national infrastructure projects. He noted that the current administration is committed to ensuring that future projects are properly planned, financed, and executed to avoid the mistakes of the past.

“We need to ensure that we don’t repeat the same mistakes. Projects must be well-planned from the start, with clear timelines, budgets, and accountability mechanisms in place,” he explained.

He also emphasized that the government is committed to tackling the backlog of unfinished projects and will work to ensure that they are completed as soon as possible, even if it takes several years to do so. However, he acknowledged that the country’s financial challenges mean that progress will be gradual.

Conclusion

Dr. Ato Forson’s revelation about the 50 stalled projects left behind by the NPP government highlights the ongoing challenges facing Ghana’s infrastructure sector. While the projects are crucial for the country’s development, their incomplete state has put a significant strain on the current government’s resources. It will take at least 12 years to finish these projects, according to Forson, and the government is committed to addressing them despite the difficult economic circumstances.

As the country moves forward, Dr. Forson’s call for accountability, strategic planning, and collaboration with the private sector will be essential to ensure that Ghana’s infrastructure development does not continue to be hindered by mismanagement and delays.