Organization Development Consultant, Dr. Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, has criticised Ghana’s underutilization of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), arguing that the country has not harnessed even a fraction of its infrastructure investment potential compared to other African economies.
Speaking in an interview, Dr. Benarkuu said while countries such as Kenya, South Africa, Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire have used strong PPP frameworks to mobilise billions in private capital for roads, housing, transport, water systems and energy projects, Ghana continues to operate far below its capacity.
He noted that several stalled or underperforming PPP projects in Ghana, ranging from abandoned housing schemes to delayed transport and sanitation infrastructure reflect systemic weaknesses, including slow procurement processes, weak project preparation, and inadequate risk-sharing structures that discourage private investors.
“Our PPP ecosystem has not matured as expected. The country has not harnessed its PPP potential at all when compared to our peers on the continent,” he said. “Many of our projects stall midway, or underperform, because the framework is not fully activated to attract credible private investment.”
Dr. Benarkuu stressed that Ghana’s widening infrastructure gap, especially in affordable housing, education facilities, health infrastructure, and transport systems cannot be adequately addressed through public funding alone.
Without a vibrant PPP framework, he warned, the country risks falling behind in regional competitiveness under AfCFTA.
He noted that PPPs could provide innovative financing solutions for housing projects for security personnel, student accommodation in universities and colleges, and essential public facilities.
Such partnerships, he said, would bring efficiency, technology transfer, and long-term cost savings.
“The PPP framework is designed to bring in expertise and financing the government cannot provide on its own. But we have not used it effectively enough to close our infrastructure deficits,” he added.
Turning to the recently presented 2026 Budget Statement by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Dr. Benarkuu said the government missed an opportunity to mainstream the PPP programme into its fiscal planning.
He argued that formally integrating the PPP programme into the national budget would provide structure, visibility and confidence for investors looking to partner with the government.
“Integrating the PPP programme into the 2026 Budget would attract private investment to support national development interventions, enhance efficiency, ensure transparency and accountability, and mobilise non-recourse funding,” he said.
He urged the Ministry of Finance to deepen engagement with procurement agencies, engineering firms, local and foreign investors, development NGOs, and financial institutions to build a stronger PPP pipeline.
Dr. Benarkuu recommended a nationwide audit of existing Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and PPP projects to identify lessons, restructure failing contracts, and guide the next generation of partnerships.
He also encouraged tertiary institutions to adopt PPP joint ventures to address infrastructural challenges.
“If the Ministry of Finance looks beyond the budget, it can double gains for the nation,” he emphasised, adding that proactive PPP integration could accelerate Ghana’s economic transformation and infrastructure delivery.
