Gov’t making progress but must cut bureaucracy – Denis Ofori Asiedu

Lawyer Dennis Kwame Ofori Asiedu, a member of the NDC National Communications Team, says the government has made notable progress in infrastructure and parts of the economy but insists bureaucratic delays continue to slow down project delivery.

Speaking on the Bubune Morning Show with host Nana Yaw Asiamah, Mr. Asiedu said the state could achieve far more if administrative bottlenecks—especially in payment and certification processes for contractors—were reduced.

He noted that delays in inspection, verification and validation often stretch projects that should take months into year‑long ventures. “If I had my way, the bureaucratic processes we go through would be reduced,” he said.

Mr. Asiedu explained that contractors frequently pre‑finance projects with their own resources or borrowed funds, relying on government payments after submitting certificates. Unnecessary delays, he argued, frustrate contractors, slow down work and ultimately disappoint the public.

Despite speaking as an NDC representative, he acknowledged areas where he believes the government has performed well, citing ongoing road construction, CHPS compounds, schools and other infrastructure nationwide. “Every part of this country has become a construction site,” he said, noting that communities previously without hope of development are now seeing projects.

He also pointed to what he described as improved economic stability, saying the relative steadiness of prices and the cedi‑dollar exchange rate gives traders and businesses more certainty. Unlike periods when prices changed within hours, he said current conditions allow businesses to plan with greater confidence.

However, he declined to give a timeline for when economic improvements would translate into significantly more money in citizens’ pockets, warning that such promises could be misleading. “The most difficult part is that most of our people have not yet gotten jobs. That is where the problem lies,” he said.

He mentioned smaller government initiatives aimed at creating opportunities and putting money into people’s hands, including training and financial support programmes. He urged beneficiaries of government loans and enterprise‑support schemes to use the funds productively, stressing that public money must be repaid so others can benefit.

On illegal mining, Mr. Asiedu said he was impressed with some government efforts but believed more could be done. He highlighted the powerful financial incentives driving young people into galamsey, citing a case of a 14‑year‑old allegedly earning about GH¢7,000 weekly. “If you tell them to stop and come sit in a classroom for you to teach them, they won’t come,” he said.

He noted that government is pushing a transition from illegal mining to regulated small‑scale artisanal mining, referencing the establishment of NAIMOS and training programmes promoting safer, chemical‑free mining practices. Those who refuse to comply, he said, must be ready to face the law.

Mr. Asiedu also relayed concerns raised by residents during his visit about the poor condition of the road from Bubune FM to the Abotoase lorry station and inconsistent premix fuel supply. He assured them the issues would be addressed, adding that the premix fuel concern was new to him but would be investigated.

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