In a scathing exposé, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa sheds light on what he claims to be a series of overpriced single-sourced contracts benefiting the Bawumia family and associates, contradicting Vice President Bawumia’s promises of transparency and opposition to corruption.
Just days after Vice President Bawumia touted his administration’s commitment to digitalization and promised online publication of all public contracts for scrutiny, Hon. Ablakwa alleges a blatant disregard for transparency and accountability. Instead, he asserts that the secrecy surrounding these contracts directly benefits family members and close allies of the Vice President.
The crux of Ablakwa’s accusations lies in a damning report from the Auditor-General, Mr. Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, who uncovered a staggering 87% of cocoa road contracts awarded through non-competitive processes since 2020. The report highlights a lack of value for money, with some contracts allegedly awarded at three times the actual cost.
The irony is palpable, as Ablakwa points out that the current administration, led by Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, has seemingly embraced the very practices they vehemently criticized during their opposition days. A tweet from then-presidential candidate Akufo-Addo in 2016 promised an end to the era of sole sourcing, and Bawumia accused the Mahama government of overpricing contracts through sole sourcing.
Diligent parliamentary oversight, according to Ablakwa, has unveiled further revelations. Resources Access Limited, a company reportedly linked to Vice President Bawumia’s family, allegedly secured two lucrative single-sourced cocoa road contracts worth a combined GHS83.7 million in a single day. These contracts, awarded on July 2, 2020, are detailed as upgrading projects for feeder roads in the Central Region.
Ablakwa concludes by suggesting that the upcoming parliamentary session will be explosive as members deliberate on the damning Auditor-General’s report. The allegations, if proven true, could have significant repercussions on the reputation of the Bawumias and their commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability.
In the pursuit of justice and holding public officials accountable, Ghana First. ????????
How the Bawumias are Milking Ghana with Overpriced Single-Sourced Contracts After Launching Vicious Attacks on Mahama
When Vice President Bawumia read paragraph 156 at page 63 of his ridiculous driver’s mate address a few days ago, I wondered why the self-proclaimed… pic.twitter.com/N47l6b4k1n
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) February 16, 2024
