A Critical Analysis of Completed Abandoned Construction Projects in Ghana

Abstract

The paper presents findings from a study of abandoned infrastructure projects and provides recommendations to lessen the adverse effects of infrastructural sustainability in Ghana. The study adopted a mixed-method approach, using face-to-face interviews, and a questionnaire survey. Responses were received from selected government officials, consultants, and end-users involved in selecting and approving government projects in the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (M.M.D.A.s) of the 16 regions of Ghana. Qualitative data gathered from an interview of 45 candidates were transcribed and coded with Atlas ti eight and line-by-line content analysis. Whilst, quantitative data from questionnaires completed by 320 respondents were analysed by the researcher with the aid of Mann- Whitney U-test in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (S.P.S.S.) to evaluate the magnitude of the impacts of completed project abandonment in Ghana. Findings indicate that completed project abandonment exists in Ghana, and its economic, social, and environmental implications are considerable on the long-term sustainability of infrastructure development and the country's overall economic growth. Infrastructural sustainability was found to be equally contingent on the initial stages of project preparation. The study draws readers’ attention to the critical role of project selection and approval criteria. The study identified critical impacts of project selection and approval process and the construction industry's long-term sustainability.