Takoradi: The CoST Sekondi-Takoradi Foundation, a branch of the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative (CoST) based in the UK, has initiated a national Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI) survey. This survey aims to evaluate the transparency levels within procuring entities involved in the delivery of public infrastructure projects in Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, the ITI is a joint effort by CoST and the Ghana Integrity Initiative to promote transparency, accountability, and participation in Ghana's infrastructure sector. The survey is designed to independently assess the transparency levels and governance quality among procuring entities at both national and subnational levels.
The survey will calculate transparency scores for public infrastructure using unique indicators, offering actionable insights to drive reforms, enhance governance, and optimize the impact of infrastructure investments. Madam Victoria Araba Dennis, Executive Director of African Women International and member of the Multi-Stakeholder Group on CoST, emphasized the significance of the ITI survey during the commissioning workshop in Takoradi. She noted that transparent planning, execution, and management are essential for infrastructure investments to fully benefit national development.
Madam Dennis highlighted the governance challenges faced by public infrastructure in Ghana, such as cost overruns, delays, abandoned projects, and mismanagement. The ITI aims to assess transparency levels and pinpoint weaknesses in procurement and contract management to mitigate corruption risks.
Dr. Matthew Kwaw Somiah, an ITI Evaluation Team Member, provided an overview of the ITI framework, which evaluates procuring entities based on transparency, institutional capacity, and citizen engagement practices. The assessment will not only identify areas for improvement but also serve as a roadmap for strengthening governance, institutional frameworks, and public accountability mechanisms.
Dr. Somiah explained that the framework evaluates four main dimensions: enabling environment, capacities and processes, citizen participation, and information disclosure. The initiative seeks to generate evidence-based insights to help Ghana improve its infrastructure governance systems and highlight best practices while identifying areas needing urgent improvement. Selected entities and assemblies in the Western region will participate in this year's survey.
