The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised eyebrows over what he describes as the questionable procurement practices involving Resources Access Limited, a company owned by the Bawumia family.
Mr Ablakwa alleges that the company continues to secure lucrative government contracts through opaque single-source procurements, despite Vice President Bawumia’s previous criticism of such practices.
According to Mr Ablakwa, recent documents obtained by him reveal that Resources Access Limited, owned by the Bawumia family, has received a staggering GHC166,768,904 in direct payments from the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government. These payments are purportedly for various projects, including road rehabilitation and construction, awarded to the company under dubious circumstances.
“Fresh documents in my possession sadly confirm that the Auditor General’s concerns over procurement breaches and inflated single-source contracts are not limited to Cocoa Roads,” Ablakwa stated.
Among the contracts awarded to Resources Access Limited are the rehabilitation of selected roads in Teshie Camp, Southern Command, and Military Academy Training School Roads, as well as the construction of the Sunyani By-Pass Outer Ring.
Mr Ablakwa points to a possible conflict of interest, noting that Vice President Bawumia chairs the Ghana Armed Forces Council, which oversees military projects, including those awarded to Resources Access Limited.
He also highlights the apparent preferential treatment enjoyed by Resources Access Limited, as the company reportedly receives prompt payments for its projects, while other contractors face delays.
“This is not the Ghana we deserve. Governments must create an enabling, just and fair business climate for all companies to thrive, and not just for their familial or crony businesses,” Ablakwa emphasized.
The revelations have raised concerns about transparency and accountability in government procurement processes, particularly regarding contracts awarded to companies with close ties to government officials.
It remains to be seen how the government will respond to these allegations and what actions will be taken to address the concerns raised by Ablakwa and other critics.
AS MORE BUSINESSES COLLAPSE & OTHERS PACK OUT OF GHANA, RESOURCES ACCESS LIMITED BELONGING TO THE BAWUMIAS RECEIVE MORE LUCRATIVE OPAQUE SINGLE-SOURCE CONTRACTS & A COLOSSAL GHS166.7MILLION DIRECT GOVERNMENT PAYMENT
Resources Access Limited, the company owned by the Bawumia… pic.twitter.com/8B77Mcordg
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) May 13, 2024