The Auditor-General has, in a shocking revelation, issued a report exposing a series of non-competitive, overpriced contracts awarded under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, directly benefiting close family members and allies of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
The report, delivered to Parliament with a transmittal letter dated 12th June 2023, uncovers that an alarming 87% of cocoa road contracts since 2020, valued at a staggering GH¢13 billion, were awarded through non-competitive processes, significantly higher than the budgeted GH¢1.3 billion.
The Auditor-General, Mr. Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, pointed out the lack of value for money in these contracts, with some awarded at three times their actual cost.
Writing on the revelation on X (formerly Twitter), Member of Parliament for South Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa noted the development starkly contradicts the promises made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) before coming into power, where both Akufo-Addo and Bawumia criticized the then John Mahama NDC government for overpricing contracts through sole sourcing.
He alleged that further investigations revealed that a company with familial ties to Vice President Bawumia, Resources Access Limited, benefited significantly from these non-competitive contracts.
“On a single day, July 2, 2020, the company, co-owned by Abraham Bawumia, the Vice President’s brother, and Aneta Kaminska Bawumia, was awarded two lucrative cocoa road contracts totalling GH¢83.7 million.
“These contracts are part of a broader issue raising concerns over the current regime’s transparency and adherence to procurement laws,” the MP wrote.
The findings have sparked outrage and calls for accountability, with Parliament expected to have a crucial session deliberating on this damning Auditor-General’s report.
This situation exposes a significant challenge in the fight against corruption and the need for stringent oversight to ensure public funds are utilized transparently and efficiently.
The development also raises critical questions about the integrity of public procurement processes in Ghana and the implementation of promises made by political leaders to curb such practices.
