The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has rejected claims by The Fourth Estate that more than 70% of contracts under the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme were awarded through sole sourcing.
In a recent publication, the investigative outlet alleged widespread use of sole sourcing in the award of contracts, raising concerns about transparency and consistency, particularly in light of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) past criticism of the practice under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
However, addressing Parliament, Mr. Agbodza dismissed the claims as inaccurate, stating that only about 44% of road contracts awarded by his ministry were done through sole sourcing.
He emphasized that all such procurements strictly complied with Ghana’s procurement laws.
According to the Adaklu MP, the decision to use sole sourcing in some instances was driven by urgency and the need to meet tight project timelines under the Big Push agenda.
The issue has since sparked sharp political exchanges in Parliament.
Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, blamed what he described as the NDC’s past “bastardization” of the sole sourcing narrative while in opposition for influencing the Fourth Estate’s conclusions.
Similarly, former Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, accused the NDC of shifting its stance on sole sourcing now that it is in government.
But Majority MPs pushed back against the criticism, defending the current approach as necessary under prevailing circumstances.
Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah and Laadi Ayamba argued that the use of sole sourcing in the Big Push programme is justified by urgency and does not amount to abuse, contrasting it with what they described as excessive reliance on the method under the previous NPP administration.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
