The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) officially awarded a major road construction contract valued at over $45 million for the development of critical road infrastructure in cocoa-growing areas of the Western North Region.

The contract covers the construction of the Dadieso-Akontombra Road (km 4.00–26.30) and the Awaso-Asawinso (Bibiani Junction) stretch, as part of COCOBOD’s broader initiative to rehabilitate and upgrade roads in key cocoa-producing communities to improve transportation and boost cocoa haulage.

According to an official notification letter issued to the contractor, Hallmark Civil Engineering Limited, a company owned by the New Patriotic Party's Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako.

The approved contract was priced at Forty-Five Million, One Hundred and Ninety-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-Six US Dollars and Ninety-Six Cents (US$45,199,526.96).

The project was expected to be completed within twenty-four (24) calendar months.

As per the contract terms, all payments will be made in Ghana Cedis, based on the prevailing Bank of Ghana exchange rate at the time of disbursement.

COCOBOD in the notification letter directed the contractor to submit a performance bond or security within 21 days of the award notification.

This may be either 10% of the contract sum from a reputable bank or 30% from an insurance company registered with the National Insurance Commission and acceptable to COCOBOD.

Failure to submit the required security within the stipulated period could lead to the cancellation of the award.

This road project forms part of COCOBOD’s ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and economic activity in cocoa-growing regions, ultimately enhancing the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and supporting the broader agricultural economy.

Classfmonline.com is reliably informed that the contract was awarded on November 12, 2020 and Chairman Wontumi failed to execute the contract but was paid for no work done. 

It is widely speculated that the sum was paid in January 2025 when the NPP had lost power to the National Democratic Congress. 

More details soon!