TASK FORCE TO LOOK INTO AWARD OF CONTRACTS

A task force will soon be set up to look into the award of contracts in Ghana to ensure that they meet set standards. This was disclosed by the President Flt-Lt Jerry John Rawlings, when he commissioned offices and laboratory buildings for the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana at Fumesua near Kumasi. The President said it is now common practice that some contractors do not satisfy the terms specified in their contract documents and encouraged authorities to institute strict supervisory measures. In this regard, President Rawlings congratulated the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Daniel Ohene-Agyekum, on his rejection of certain projects which did not meet specifications and were exorbitantly costed. Inhabitants and citizens of Kumasi received commendation on their clean surroundings. However, President Rawlings decried the spate of road accidents and said anyone who kills people through irresponsible behaviour should be made to answer for it. He deplored instances where people are released under the excuse of deaths being "accidents". The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the GPRTU, Nana John Konadu, charged drivers to be cautious on the road. President Rawlings later paid courtesy calls on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku-Ware and the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Nana Kwasi Agyeman, to sympathise with them on the death of Nana Akua Pokua, sister of Otumfuo and mother of Nana Kwasi Agyeman.