Former president and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has strongly criticized the current government, accusing it of hastily signing contracts that could have significant financial consequences for the country in the long run.
This follows an earlier concern raised by the Minority in Parliament over the resurgence of load shedding, popularly known as ‘DUMSOR,’ blaming it on dubious contracts signed by the government through the Ghana Gas Company.
During a community meeting at Tunga in the Ablekuma West Constituency, as part of his Greater Accra campaign tour, the former president called the upcoming Phoenix Park Gas Contract a “last minute deal.” He asserted, “You see, when I say that we’re going to hold this government accountable, I mean it.”
The former president pointed to a new gas contract as a key area of concern. “Our spokesperson on energy, John Jinapor, gave a caution that there’s a contract they want to sign with Ghana Gas for the second gas stream,” he stated. He questioned the government’s rush to sign the deal, noting that no investments have been made in additional gas infrastructure over the past eight years.
“So why is there a hurry to sign the contract for the second gas stream? Just because the one who commits it takes their 10%, and if it takes even five years for the gas to come, they don’t care,” he alleged.
He further raised concerns about the contract’s cost and approval process. “For a contract valued at 800 million dollars, I believe that it might be subjected to parliamentary approval,” he remarked. He accused the government of attempting to sidestep parliamentary scrutiny by using a front company. “They have set up a wishy-washy Ghanaian company as the front so that they don’t have to go to parliament because it’s an international company.”
The former president stressed, “We are watching. If there’s financial loss to the state, people are going to be held responsible. A word to the wise is enough.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mary Asantewaa Buabeng
