By Juliet ETEFE
The Ghana Youth Leadership Academy (GYLA) has raised concerns over the increasing number of abandoned public infrastructural projects across the country, describing them as significant setbacks for communities.
Echoing these concerns, GYLA 2024 Fellow Dorcas Antwi highlighted the widespread negative impact of these neglected projects such as unfinished health centres, roads, schools and markets on the social and economic fabric of affected areas.
She cited abandoned projects including a 12-unit class room block at Lashibi TMA School; Sunyani regional library; 12-unit classroom block at Klagon TMA School, Sunyani Kotokrom Road and Odumase Road; Sunyani Technical University Science Park Building; Jaman South E-Block Project; Krofrom Market; Paga-Sirigu Road; Zuarungu Meat Factory; Yendi Water Project; Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam; Bongo District Assembly Building; Sunyani Kotokrom/Yahima Road; Sunyani West Odumase Roads; Obopah E-block; Sekesua E-block and computer laboratory SDA primary and so on.
“These unfinished projects are not just physical eyesores; they represent lost opportunities for economic growth, education, and healthcare. The lack of progress leaves many communities struggling to thrive.
“These projects, meant to be beacons of progress and symbols of hope, have instead become painful reminders of unfulfilled promises. Schools that should be nurturing the minds of our future leaders lie in ruins. Health centers that should be providing life-saving Care are overgrown with weeds. Roads that should connect communities remain impassable, leaving people isolated and economies stagnant.
“This abandonment in significant environmental hazards economic losses and a decline in the socio- economic growth of the affected communities,” she laments.
Attorney General’s report
This came at a time when the 2023 Attorney General’s report indicates that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) continued to record irregularities in the operations and management of District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) of which the irregularities included abandoned/delayed projects, completed projects not put to use, overpayment for work done, unremitted taxes, unsupported payments, unpresented payments vouchers, unaccounted funds, misapplication of funds, over-utilisation of Common Fund on administration expenditure, payment of judgment debts, among others.
The report has it that in 2023, the total irregularities stand at GH¢49,653,295.18.
“We noted that delayed/abandoned projects predominantly accounted for 72.53 percent of the contract irregularities recorded because the Assemblies continued to initiate new projects whilst ongoing ones had not been completed. As a result of limited funds and erratic inflow of DACF coupled with inefficient IGF mobilisation to augment the completion of the enormous projects awarded by the Assemblies, the projects are delayed and eventually abandoned.
“We noted that 10 Assemblies expended a total amount of GH¢3,877,513.43 on 19 projects which were at various stages of completion but had been abandoned/delayed for periods ranging between two months and seven years whilst new projects were being awarded,” the report noted.
Call to Action
To this end, GYLA called on government to complete these projects and restore hope to the communities that have been left behind.
The group also urged the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAS) to prioritise the needs of the people over political expediency, saying that they must ensure that every cedi spent on infrastructure serves the public good.
GYLA also urged traditional and religious leaders to use their influence to advocate for the completion of these projects and hold leaders accountable.
“To the Youth of Ghana, Our Future Leaders: Be the change-makers our nation needs. Get involved, speak out, and hold those in power accountable, this is your future that is being compromised,” Ms. Antwi stressed.
Another fellow, Prince Yeboah called for decisive action against those responsible for the abandonment of these projects.
He pointed out that despite the Auditor-General’s recommendations for punitive measures, little progress has been made, stressing the need for proactive measures to change the narrative.
Project Manager Adel E.S. Acquah also emphasised the urgent need to address this issue.
She noted that the academy, which annually trains 40 leaders from diverse backgrounds, including student unions, advocacy groups, and political parties, has made the completion of these abandoned projects a priority.
“This year, our participants have embarked on a unified project to advocate for the completion of infrastructure projects that have been left to decay, causing socio-economic hardships for the communities they were intended to serve,” she stated.
