Ablakwa urges Mahama to renegotiate inflated $100M DRIP project

Foreign Affairs Minister-designate Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has called on President John Dramani Mahama to renegotiate the terms of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), citing over $100 million in inflated costs.

Speaking during his vetting on January 31, Ablakwa raised concerns about financial inefficiencies in the project, which was launched in August 2024 to improve road infrastructure and support local authorities.

He noted that with only 25% of the total cost paid, there is room to review the deal and prevent wastage of public funds.

Ablakwa stressed that recovering these funds could benefit key sectors like education, healthcare, and social interventions, ensuring better resource allocation amidst Ghana’s economic challenges.