Lessons from Global Infrastructure Projects: How Samuel Kweku Bentil is Redefining Dispute Avoidance in Construction.

When it comes to mega infrastructure projects, disputes aren’t just costly, they’re inevitable. Or at least, that’s the prevailing mindset. But Samuel Kweku Bentil, a leading expert in construction disputes and forensic claims analysis, is challenging that notion. With 18 years of experience managing high-stakes projects across the globe, Bentil has built a career on one fundamental principle: disputes are preventable.

As the Senior Director of Construction Disputes and Advisory at Ankura Consulting Group, Bentil has investigated delays and cost overruns on over 100 projects, including a $15 billion Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility, where his proactive strategies helped avoid multiple disputes before they could escalate into legal battles. Through his company, Avoid Construction Disputes Inc., he is now leading a shift in the industry—from reactive dispute resolution to proactive conflict avoidance, offering a blueprint for smoother, more efficient project execution.

With his book Avoid Construction Disputes: Ten Principles to Collaborate Effectively to Achieve On-Time and On-Budget Project Objectives, Bentil distills nearly two decades of experience into actionable strategies, proving that effective collaboration, risk mitigation, and foresight can prevent disputes before they derail a project.

From Military Aspirations to Global Infrastructure Peacekeeping

Bentil’s journey into the world of construction dispute prevention was anything but conventional. Raised in a family of seven, he was profoundly influenced by his father—a mechanical engineer and Colonel in the Army’s Engineering Corps, whose peacekeeping missions took him to Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, Rwanda, DR Congo, and Cambodia.

“I grew up fascinated by the world beyond my borders. My father’s stories, photographs, and the international novels he brought home shaped my early desire to explore the world as a soldier and peacekeeper,” Bentil recalls.

However, after completing his undergraduate studies, Bentil had a sudden change of heart and instead pursued a career in the gold mining industry as a project planning engineer. This shift would eventually lead him to work on some of the world’s most complex infrastructure projects—from remote mining operations in conflict zones to multi-billion-dollar LNG facilities—where he would develop his expertise in dispute avoidance.

The Gold Mine That Changed Everything

One defining moment in Bentil’s career came while working on a high-security gold mining project in a mountainous region plagued by armed rebel groups. The stakes were financial and life-threatening.  “We lived in tents, constantly on alert for potential attacks, and always ready to evacuate. Our backpacks were packed with essentials, including passports and toothbrushes, in case we had to survive in the forest,” he says.

Beyond the security risks, the project itself was rife with disputes—delays, cost overruns, and strained relationships between stakeholders threatened to derail its success. The experience left a lasting impression on Bentil. He realized that most disputes could have been prevented with better collaboration, clearer communication, and stronger foresight.

From that moment forward, his mission became clear: to help project owners, contractors, and investors shift from a reactive to a proactive dispute-avoidance mindset.

Avoiding Disputes Before They Arise: The Bentil Framework

Unlike traditional claims consultants who step in after conflicts erupt, Bentil’s company, Avoid Construction Disputes Inc., focuses on preventing disputes before they happen. His approach is rooted in a combination of real-world case studies, forensic claims analysis, and psychological insights into decision-making in construction.

His framework is built on three core principles:

• Risk Identification & Early Intervention: Projects must proactively identify risks before they escalate into full-blown disputes. Bentil emphasizes regular stakeholder alignment meetings, clear contract definitions, and contingency planning.

• Effective Collaboration & Communication: Many disputes arise not from contractual issues but from misaligned expectations. By establishing transparent communication channels and collaborative problem-solving mechanisms, teams can resolve issues before they turn into legal battles.

• Shifting from Blame to Solution-Focused Mindsets: A project team that operates in a blame culture is doomed to fail. Bentil advocates for a culture of accountability, where challenges are addressed collectively rather than through adversarial standoffs.

These principles have proven effective on some of the world’s largest projects, including a $15 billion LNG facility, where Bentil helped prevent multiple disputes between the client and the main contractor.

Beyond Construction: A Life of Leadership and Impact

While Bentil’s professional expertise lies in construction dispute prevention, his leadership extends beyond infrastructure projects. As a minister of the Gospel through Revelation by Grace Ministries, he and his wife, Elizabeth, promote community and spiritual well-being, teaching worshipful messianic dancing in public parks in British Columbia.

This dual commitment—to peacebuilding in construction and fostering community harmony through faith—reflects Bentil’s core belief: that disputes, whether in business or life, can be avoided with the right mindset, strategy, and leadership.

The Future of Construction Dispute Prevention

With Avoid Construction Disputes Inc., Bentil is leading an industry-wide movement. His mission is clear: to transform construction projects from battlegrounds of legal disputes into collaborative environments that drive on-time, on-budget success.

As mega infrastructure projects continue to grow in scale and complexity, Bentil’s work serves as a critical guide for project owners, contractors, and investors seeking to navigate the high-stakes world of construction without falling into costly disputes.

With his upcoming book, ongoing consulting work, and a career marked by global experience, innovative strategies, and a commitment to collaboration, Bentil is proving that the best way to handle a dispute is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

For expert consulting on dispute avoidance and construction project collaboration, visit his website or connect with Samuel Kweku Bentil on LinkedIn.