The North Tongu legislator, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, has criticised President Akufo-Addo for failing to walk the talk with respect to his fight against the single-source procurement regime.
He noted that President Akufo-Addo during his time in opposition, condemned “single source procurements and argued that it was a veritable conduit for corruption,” but has engaged in such action more than any other government Ghana has seen.
“Without principle and scruples, they are now the all-time champions of grand single source procurements.”
“It is most instructive to note that payments for other infamous wasteful Akufo-Addo-legacy projects such as the US$450million National Cathedral fiasco and the US$222.7million BoG Head Office all commenced during the electioneering campaign of 2020,” he added.
Mr Ablakwa registered his sentiments when he publicly disclosed documents that provide insight into the government’s spending patterns during the 2020 election year.
In a Facebook post, Mr Ablakwa shared a document from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) that provided details on the procurement process for the construction of a 50-bed guest house in Tamale.
The letter noted that approval was given to the Bank of Ghana to employ single sourcing to engage Messrs De-Simone Limited for the completion of final works on the project at a cost of GHC139 million.
Mr. Ablakwa raised concerns about what he perceives as an unhealthy inclination toward restricting tendering by the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison.
“The fresh documents in my possession show that Dr. Addison appears to have a hooliganistic appetite for single-source and restricted tendering, so much so that NONE of the procurements under his watch have been competitive,” Mr Ablakwa wrote.
Meanwhile, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa has told Ghanaians to be alert and monitor the undertakings of the incumbent government led by President Akufo-Addo this year as the country nears the polls.
“The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia single-source-procurement-regime will be planning similar “lootocratic” schemes,” he warned.