By Issah Olegor
A looming confrontation is brewing between government and a group of road maintenance contractors who have threatened to stage a protest at the Presidency over what they describe as six years of unpaid arrears for works executed on behalf of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA).
The contractors, operating under the umbrella of the Single Man Contractors (SMC) Association, say successive delays in settling certified payments for completed contracts have pushed many of their members into severe financial distress, forcing some businesses to the brink of collapse.
The dispute comes at a critical period as Ghana enters the peak of the rainy season, with concerns mounting over flooding in several parts of the country. Ironically, the contractors at the center of the controversy are responsible for some of the very activities designed to reduce flooding and protect road infrastructure.
Their work includes desilting choked drains, clearing gutters, maintaining road shoulders, removing vegetation from waterways, and undertaking routine maintenance works along major highways and roads across the country.
According to the contractors, many of the affected projects were completed as far back as 2020 under contracts awarded through the Ghana Highway Authority.
Despite receiving certification for the completed works, they claim payment has remained outstanding for years.
In a petition addressed to President John Dramani Mahama and dated May 25, 2026, the contractors appealed directly to the Presidency to intervene and facilitate the immediate settlement of the debts.
The petition stated that members executed the assigned works in good faith and fulfilled their contractual obligations based on agreements entered into with the state.
“As single man contractors, we undertook and completed the assigned work in good faith and according to the agreed terms.
Despite several follow-ups with the Ghana Highway Authority, outstanding payment for the completed contract has still not been made,” the association stated.
The contractors argue that the prolonged delay has created significant economic hardship for members, many of whom relied on loans, personal savings, and borrowed capital to finance the projects.
According to them, the failure to receive payment has affected their ability to service debts, pay workers, acquire equipment, and take on new contracts.
Some contractors reportedly face mounting pressure from financial institutions and suppliers as a result of the unpaid arrears.
Beyond the financial impact on the contractors themselves, the group warns that the situation could undermine future maintenance works critical to the country’s road infrastructure and flood management efforts.
The contractors emphasized that routine drain and gutter maintenance remains one of the most important measures for preventing urban flooding, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
They fear that if contractors continue to face payment challenges, the delivery of such essential services could be affected.
“The continued delay in settling this obligation has caused serious financial hardship and affected both our livelihood and ability to meet other commitments,” the petition further noted.
The association revealed that it had earlier petitioned the Presidency in March 2026 seeking intervention but says it has yet to receive a satisfactory resolution to the matter.
Frustrated by what they describe as years of unfulfilled promises and administrative delays, the contractors have now threatened to escalate their demands through a peaceful picketing exercise at Jubilee House should the government fail to address their concerns.
The threat of a protest places additional pressure on the government at a time when public spending commitments, infrastructure development demands, and fiscal challenges continue to dominate national economic discussions.
