Prof Adei: Roads minister asks EOCO to probe allegations

The Minister for Roads and Highways, Amoako-Attah has called on the Economic and Organized Crime Office, EOCO, to investigate the allegations against the government by Professor Stephen Adei. Prof Adei in an interview with TV3 alleged that road contracts in the country are now bought for 1 million. He said contractors must pay the amount upfront before they are given the contracts.

As a staunch critic of the erstwhile Mahama administration and being portrayed as President Akufo-Addo’s man in the early days of the NPP, Prof Adei’s comments come as a major shock for Amoako-Attah. The former Rector of GIMPA said he is shocked at how things have turned out and that if the president is aware of it, he should be ashamed for presiding over it.

According to the former National Development Planning Commission Chairperson, “One of the greatest disappointments of Nana Akufo-Addo’s regime is that honestly, he raised the hope of Ghanaians. Ghanaians expected they have gotten a leader with a vision, with the charisma, with the determination and it seems if he doesn’t redeem himself in the next 14 months, he would go down in history as one of the most disappointing leaders.”

He added, “…road contract would be given to you provided you put one million upfront. Not after you have gotten the money. This is what Akufo-Addo must be thinking about and if he knows about it, he must be ashamed that now his people demand from you a certain amount before you would be considered for a job.”

Explaining the rationale behind the decision to charge contractors upfront, Prof Adei said the people in charge do not care whether the government pays the contractor or not. Once they get their money the contractor can do whatever he wants.

“When they get it[money], whether the government pays you or not they have gotten their money. It is as if people are in a hurry to loot the country before the end of Akufo-Addo’s term,” he stated.

However, reacting to the allegations, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Amoako-Attah said he is shocked by the allegations because there is absolute transparency in the award of contracts.

According to the Amoako-Attah-led ministry, the “allegations are surprising at the least because the processes leading to the award of road contracts are open, transparent, competitive and in accordance with the law”.

“Given that the alleged conduct borders on the commission of crime against the Republic, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwasi Amoako-Attah, has today, 23rd October 2023, requested the Executive Director of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to fully investigate the allegations.”

“The Ministry wishes to assure the public that it shall cooperate fully and support EOCO in the conduct of its investigation,” part of the statement read.