Ghana's Infrastructure Gaps: Key Insights from NDPC's 2024 Report

Ghana’s Agenda for Jobs II: Progress and Persistent Challenges

Ghana's Agenda for Jobs II (2022–2025) has set an ambitious goal of creating prosperity and equal opportunities for all citizens. However, the 2024 Annual Progress Report (APR), released by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) on October 13, 2025, highlights significant infrastructure gaps that threaten to derail these objectives.

Dr Nii Moi Thompson, Chairman of NDPC and Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), presented the report in Accra. He emphasized that the findings would be shared with key stakeholders, including the Office of the President, Parliament, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as Regional Coordinating Councils and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies. This initiative aims to inform policy decisions and drive action towards achieving the goals outlined in Agenda for Jobs II.

The report offers a comprehensive assessment of development challenges across several critical sectors, including roads, agriculture, education, industry, services, water and sanitation, and information communication technology (ICT). Mr Isaac Kwesi Eweh, Chief Analyst at the Monitoring and Evaluation Division, provided an overview of the report, revealing stark infrastructure deficits over the last four years.

Dr Audrey Smock Amoah, Director-General of NDPC, stressed that the report serves as both a record of Ghana’s development journey and a strategic tool to guide future actions. She acknowledged ongoing challenges in data quality and coordination but highlighted efforts to improve reliability. She called on all stakeholders to engage with the findings and use them to drive inclusive and evidence-based development.

Infrastructure Deficits Across Key Sectors

Roads: Overruns and Delays

The Ministry of Roads and Highways recorded one of the highest cost escalations among all ministries. Out of 17,900 capital projects tracked nationwide, 9,616 were road-related and at various stages of completion. The total contract sum for all ongoing capital projects increased from GH₵434.8 billion to GH₵505.8 billion, resulting in a staggering GH₵70.3 billion in cost overruns.

Despite this massive investment, many road projects remain incomplete or delayed, especially in rural and agricultural zones. Poor road conditions continue to hamper access to markets, schools, and healthcare.

Education: Overcrowding and Resource Deficits

The report highlighted that many public schools still suffer from overcrowded classrooms and inadequate infrastructure. In several districts, schools operate in temporary structures or under trees, lacking basic amenities such as toilets, libraries, and science labs. Technical and vocational education institutions also face infrastructure deficits, limiting their capacity to deliver skills training aligned with job market demands.

Job Creation: Infrastructure Bottlenecks

While the Agenda for Jobs II targeted inclusive job creation, infrastructure bottlenecks—especially in transport and energy—are slowing industrial growth and employment generation. The report noted that macroeconomic instability and delayed project execution have constrained the expansion of job-intensive sectors like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Sanitation: Uneven Access and Poor Waste Management

Sanitation infrastructure remains inadequate across many regions. The report pointed to limited sewerage systems and poor waste disposal practices, particularly in urban slums and peri-urban communities. Access to improved sanitation facilities is still below national targets, with open defecation persisting in some areas.

Digital Divide Widens

Despite efforts to expand digital infrastructure, broadband penetration remains low in rural Ghana. Public institutions struggle with outdated systems and limited connectivity, affecting service delivery and digital inclusion. The report emphasizes the need for targeted investment in ICT to support education, governance, and entrepreneurship.

Addressing the Infrastructure Gaps

The NDPC’s 2024 Annual Progress Report underscores the urgent need for strategic infrastructure investment and better project management. With GH₵315.4 billion in outstanding payments for capital projects, Ghana faces a critical juncture: either close these gaps to unlock inclusive growth or risk deepening inequality and economic stagnation.

Proposed solutions include targeted investments, public-private partnerships, and improved planning and coordination to close these infrastructure deficits. The report highlights the importance of addressing broader structural challenges in financing, coordination, and maintenance across sectors.