A former Power Minister Dr. Kwabena Donkor has lashed out at policy think-tank IMANI over their understanding regarding the AMERI deal, which has been dominating the headlines.
In his second response to the Franklin Cudjoe-led outfit, Dr. Donkor jabbed the award-winning think tank for mainly relying on newspaper writings to argue their case.
In a statement copied to Starrfmonline.com, the MP for Pru East advised IMANI to resort to the “source documents submitted to Parliament” to make a meaningful claim.
“All the breakdown they claim I am now providing was contained in the documentation submitted to the august House.
“On the question of pricing for cables, transformers, etc alluded to in their response, one would have expected them to ask for the specifications and the sourcing data,” Dr. Donkor pointed out.
IMANI’s Bright Simons had earlier described the AMERI power deal as “the most outrageous swindle this country has seen in the last decade.”
Below is Dr. Donkor’s full reaction and copied to Starrfmonline.com:
Reading through their reaction, it is clear they had not read the source documents submitted to Parliament prior to my response. While Occupy Ghana and the likes can get away with it, people associated with a Think Tank must not be allowed to get away with it. Were they taking their position based on newspaper writings?
All the breakdown they claim I am now providing was contained in the documentation submitted to the august House.
On the question of pricing for cables, transformers, etc alluded to in their response, one would have expected them to ask for the specifications and the sourcing data.
By the way, the cost build up for the plant in the Purchase Option was provided by VRA. The CEO and top engineering officials appeared before the Committee of Mines and Energy to make the case. If people associated with IMANI have issues with specific project ‘quantities’ may I humbly refer them to VRA.
I am glad Ghana Gas is going the same route in building the new Aboadzi to Tema pipeline. Let’s wait and see whether Mr. Simons would ask why the Government is not going to the Capital Market to raise the necessary money for Ghana Gas to build the pipeline.
I have made my case and it is up to the good people of Ghana to judge.
Kwabena Donkor Ph.D
