The Auditor-General has disclosed that a significant portion, 87%, of road contracts within the Cocoa Road Improvement Programme (CRIP II) between 2015 and 2021 were awarded through "non-competitive routes."

This approach led to higher construction costs compared to contracts awarded through competitive tendering, as outlined in the June 2023 Performance Audit Report on Cocoa Road Construction during the specified period.

During CRIP II, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) awarded a total of 266 road contracts, covering a combined length of 4,100km for rehabilitation, upgrading, and construction in cocoa-growing areas. Among these contracts, only 33 underwent competitive bidding, while 175 were awarded through single-source procurement, and 58 through restricted tendering, indicating a significant reliance on non-competitive procurement methods.

The report highlighted that the reasons provided by COCOBOD for utilizing these procurement methods did not align with the requirements of the Public Procurement Act. Additionally, it noted that while some positive outcomes were achieved with completed cocoa roads, there were areas requiring improvement to ensure the Programme's sustainability.

One key issue identified was the lack of prioritization of road projects under CRIP II to match the available funding. Although COCOBOD sought input from subsidiaries and the Department of Feeder Roads to identify critical roads, proper prioritization processes were not evident. As a result, more road projects were implemented than the budget for CRIP could support.

Furthermore, the estimates used by COCOBOD for cocoa road projects were deemed inadequate for implementation, being based on line diagrams rather than detailed designs. This led to significant variances between estimated costs and contract sums, ranging from 4.68% to 99.7%.

Inspections revealed defects in completed roads, such as potholes, disintegrating surfaces, and cracks in concrete drains. Consultants failed to visit project sites regularly and issued only a few defect notices to contractors without adequate follow-up for rectification, as noted in the report.

“The consultants cited non- payment of fees by COCOBOD as the reason for their inadequate supervision,” it said.

The delays in road works under CRIP I and CRIP II were attributed to COCOBOD's failure to make timely payments to contractors, according to the audit report. Additionally, the Board did not have alternative funding plans to address payment gaps, nor did it ensure contractors worked diligently to meet project deadlines.

To address these issues, the report recommended that COCOBOD develop and implement a detailed plan and strategy to prioritize road projects based on factors such as budget, road conditions, and cocoa production areas. It also suggested that the General Services Department of the Board consult with the Ghana Highway Authority and the Department of Feeder Roads to make appropriate adjustments to estimates when budgeting for the program to ensure adequate resource allocation.

Furthermore, the report recommended that COCOBOD seek expert advice to analyze procurement options and ensure better value for money. It also advised prioritizing supervision of road works and providing necessary resources to consultants for active supervision and rectification of defective works.

“COCOBOD should suspend awarding new contracts until all existing contracts are completed and paid for,” it added.

To address the challenge of poor road conditions in cocoa-growing areas, the Government initiated the Cocoa Road Improvement Programme (CRIP) in 2015.

This collaborative effort involved the Ministry of Roads and Highways, with COCOBOD serving as the implementing agency and financier. The primary goal of the program is to enhance 2,900km of roads to facilitate the efficient and rapid transportation of cocoa beans from farms to purchasing centers and seaports.

This initiative aims to minimize post-harvest losses in the cocoa sector.