Assessing the role of consultants in enhancing value for money in infrastructural projects in selected regions in Ghana

Abstract

Construction projects in Ghana suffer from many problems and complex issues such as cost, time, and quality. This research sought to identify and evaluate the major roles played by project consultants in ensuring value for money on public infrastructural projects in some selected regions in Ghana. The philosophical underpinning of the study was positivism. Also, the study employed a cross sectional survey design using deductive research approach characterized by descriptive and explanatory elements based on the research objectives. The target population covered consultants (architects and quantity surveyors) in building construction within the Upper West and Ashanti Region. Purposive and snow ball sampling techniques were used. Two hundred and twenty-four (224) questionnaires were administered and a response rate of 43% was achieved. Several factors were identified as the role played by project consultants leading to ensuring value for money. This included; consultants are responsible for advising the project management team on the most likely completion date, they ensure that the project is executed to the highest possible standard, in accordance with technical specifications and design guidelines, advising on schedule, and budgetary control. The study found that timely decision making has an impact on the efficiency of consultants working on public infrastructural projects. Political pressure from higher authorities, and desire to complete project within a short period of time are some militating factors against ensuring value for money. Also, project management teams sometimes overlook the necessity of Construction Audit at the early stages of project conception and poor contract administration are some challenges to achieving value for money on public infrastructural projects. It was concluded that, urgency of the project at hand, project duration in terms of time spent getting the work done, political influence from higher authorities affecting project delivery, timely decision making on the part of the consultancy team, and experience of the design team on the project are the key factors affecting value for money on public infrastructural projects. It was recommended that consultants should be more interested in design and cost by employing multi-criteria analysis and selecting the most cost-effective criterion. Consultants should plan properly to ensure that contract processes are duly followed.