Gov’t has not abandoned PPPs; it seeks to fast-track projects before private sector participation – Theo Acheampong

Technical Advisor to the Finance Minister, Dr Theophilus Acheampong, has refuted claims that Ghana's government is abandoning Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in favor of government-funded projects. During an interview on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Dr Acheampong argued that the government's use of public funds to accelerate large-scale infrastructure projects is not a rejection of PPPs, but rather a strategic approach to overcome the lengthy timelines typically associated with traditional PPP processes.

The government remains committed to private sector participation, but under the current circumstances, it believes that relying solely on PPPs for major projects could lead to significant delays. Dr Acheampong provided an example, stating that a major project like the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway could take between seven to ten years to complete if the traditional PPP route were followed.

In response to concerns raised by Prof. Godfred Bokpin, who advocated for PPP financing to preserve public funds for essential services, Dr Acheampong acknowledged the importance of ensuring that infrastructure investments deliver broader economic benefits. He argued that the government's approach of initially financing selected projects with public resources and later allowing private investors to participate offers a more practical solution given Ghana's current circumstances.