GhIS, Roads Ministry move to improve compensation for road projects

The Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) and the Ministry of Roads and Highways have decided to work more closely together to improve compensation for people whose property is affected by road projects. This partnership developed from a meeting between GhIS leaders and the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Governance Kwame Agbodza, where they talked about issues related to compensation claims made in connection with some road projects.

In a statement from GhIS, its President Mr Emmanuel Kofi Cobbold shared that the meeting highlighted systemic issues in the process, such as delays in taking over properties, not enough talking with people involved, problems in checking and writing down compensation amounts, and long waits to pay compensation to those affected. GhIS also pointed out that the rules for taking over and paying compensation weren't always followed the same way by everyone, which made things even harder.

To fix these problems, GhIS and the ministry have agreed to keep working together in a focused technical process. This process will look at changing the way compensation is handled, making it easier to share information and check valuations, and getting more people involved in the process. By doing this, they aim to make sure the compensation process is clear, consistent, and based on professional standards.

This is important to protect the rights of people whose properties are affected by public infrastructure projects and to make sure the state gets good value for its money.