The government of Ghana is increasing its focus on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to address the country’s infrastructure deficit, which is estimated at $37 billion annually over the next 30 years. Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, delivered this message during the KPMG Infrastructure Roadshow in Accra.
Ampem explained that traditional financing methods are no longer enough to meet Ghana’s infrastructure requirements. He stated, “The public purse alone cannot do this. The fiscal space is tight. The demands are huge. The journey is long. PPPs are therefore not just desirable, they are indispensable.”
He highlighted data from the Global Infrastructure Hub, supported by the World Bank, showing that Ghana scores 47 out of 100 in infrastructure quality—ten points below the average for lower-middle-income countries. Additionally, Ghana invests about 5 percent of its GDP in infrastructure, compared to an average of 5.4 percent among similar economies. This has led to a financing gap of 2.8 percent of GDP, higher than the peer average of 1.7 percent.
“These figures confirm what citizens feel daily,” Ampem said. “City residents cry for better transport systems, industries require reliable and cheaper energy, farmers need irrigation, and our young people demand the digital highways of tomorrow.”
To tackle these issues, Ampem announced that significant portions of petroleum revenues and mineral royalties have been reallocated under the Big Push Initiative to finance large-scale infrastructure projects. Government plans include investing GH¢13.9 billion into this initiative now and increasing it to GH¢21.2 billion by 2028—a move expected to raise capital expenditure by 0.5 percent of GDP during this period while maintaining fiscal discipline.
“This is not just a peppering over the cracks. It is an economic reset backed by a US$10 billion Big Push for infrastructure development,” he said.
Ampem also addressed ongoing reforms in Ghana’s Public Financial Management system designed to ensure value for money in infrastructure contracts. He cited an audit from the Ministry of Roads and Highways revealing that arrears owed to contractors grew from GH¢113 million in 2018 to GH¢665 million in interest by 2025 due to delays and weak controls.
“Clearly, we were paying more in interest than in actual road construction. This cannot continue,” he said.
To prevent such issues going forward, Parliament has amended the Public Procurement Act so all contracts must have approved budgetary allocations before starting work; additionally, a PFM Compliance Division has been set up within the Ministry to monitor compliance with commitment controls and procurement regulations.
Despite these reforms, Ampem acknowledged that public funds remain insufficient for meeting national needs: PPPs offer opportunities for private sector capital and expertise alongside government resources—improving service quality and spreading risks more effectively while accelerating economic transformation.
He noted challenges including low awareness about PPPs among stakeholders as well as capacity constraints and regulatory hurdles but affirmed government’s commitment: “Government…is committed to addressing these hurdles and creating an enabling environment for private sector participation.”
Ampem called on local and international investors alike: “The framework is set. The vision is clear. The resolve for further PPP reform is strong. The leadership from President Mahama is committed…Your technical expertise, innovation, and capital are not just welcome; they are essential.”
He concluded with a call for collective action: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. The journey ahead for Ghana’s infrastructure demands that we go together with strong participation from the private sector.”
The KPMG Infrastructure Roadshow convened policymakers as well as representatives from finance and industry sectors under the theme “Unlocking Ghana’s Public Private Partnership Potential: Bridging Reform and Results.”