Details of Wontumi's Hallmark Civil Eng. COCOBOD's $45.2 million road construction contract in Western North Region

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has awarded a major road construction contract. The contract is worth over $45 million. It aims to improve road infrastructure in cocoa-growing areas of the Western North Region.

The project includes the Dadieso-Akontombra Road and the Awaso-Asawinso stretch. This initiative will help rehabilitate and upgrade roads in key cocoa-producing communities. Improved transportation will boost cocoa haulage.

Hallmark Civil Engineering Limited received the contract. This company is owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party. The total contract amount is $45,199,526.96.

The project should be completed within 24 months. Payments will be made in Ghana Cedis based on the Bank of Ghana's exchange rate at that time.

COCOBOD instructed Hallmark to submit a performance bond within 21 days. This bond must be either 10% from a bank or 30% from an insurance company approved by COCOBOD. If not submitted on time, the award may be canceled.

This road project aims to enhance accessibility and economic activity in cocoa regions. It seeks to improve farmers' livelihoods and support agriculture overall.

Reports indicate that this contract was awarded on November 12, 2020. However, Chairman Wontumi did not execute it but was paid for no work done. Speculation suggests payment occurred in January 2025 after the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress.

More details will follow soon!