'Probe all foreign contracts awarded under Kufuor'

Pro-National Democratic Congress (NDC) group, Inisde Ghana, has called for an investigation into all foreign contracts awarded between 2001 and 2009.

“Our action has been necessitated by what we deem to be a deliberate systemic scheme orchestrated by the erstwhile Kufuor administration to loot and share the resources of the State,” a statement issued by Convener George Spencer Quaye on Monday said.

The group cited contracts with Balkan Energy Ghana, Isofoton and Alcatel Shanghai Bell as those that need urgent look into since they were subsequently abrogated by the then Kufuor government.

Below is the full statement:

Following the recent ruling by the Supreme Court on a writ brought to it by Mr. Martin Amidu that the contract entered into in 2006 between the Government of Ghana and Waterville Holdings is unconstitutional, Inside Ghana is calling on the government to investigate all contracts awarded to foreign entities between the periods of January 2001 to January 2009.

Our action has been necessitated by what we deem to be a deliberate systemic scheme orchestrated by the erstwhile Kufuor administration to loot and share the resources of the State.

Through the awarding of dubious unconstitutional contracts, the State had had to pay off these companies huge sums of money for the abrogation of such contracts. This is not only a violation of the Constitution (article 181 (5)), but also a violation of the economic and financial rights of Ghanaians as monies that could have otherwise been invested in our wellbeing are clandestinely siphoned out of the State coffers.

This is becoming one too many and Inside Ghana believes that such a call is rightly placed given the circumstances for which contracts were awarded and subsequently abrogated during ex-President Kufuor’s reign. Ghanaians would recall similar incidents with Balkan Energy Ghana, Isofoton, Alcatel Shanghai Bell, etc. in which contracts were awarded without the duly laid done procedures being followed by the then government. Parliament which has the power to interrogate and veto such contracts was sidelined from doing their constitutionally mandated duty which could otherwise have save us millions of dollars.

We would also like to see the State commence criminal investigations against persons who entered into such contracts on behalf of the government. Government has a responsibility to safeguard the national purse and therefore must be seen to be doing so. The awarding of such contracts and subsequent abrogation has denied the State of much needed resources.

We would also like to appeal to the President to reassure the international business community of government’s commitment to protect and promote their interests. Inside Ghana also share the opinion that the Waterville Holdings judgment could paint a bad image for the country as an investment destination.

And it for this reason that Inside Ghana is calling on government to instigate a criminal investigation against those who entered into such contracts on behalf of the State for such disgraceful and scandalous conduct.