¢300 Million Contract For Arthur Kennedy

In a fragrant disregard of the provisions of the procurement law, the Ministry of Health has awarded a ¢335million contract to Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy, a failed presidential hopeful now Communication Director of the Akufo Addo Campaign. The contract is for a consultancy service and Mr. Arthur Kennedy is expected '' to assess the readiness of health facilities for accreditation by the National Health Insurance Council '' in hundred days.

According to the contract, Dr Arthur Kennedy is to earn ¢50million (GH¢5,000) whilst his driver takes ¢4million (GH ¢400) as per diem. With regards to accommodation, the consultant will take ¢100million (GH¢10,000) and his driver will go for ¢30million (GH¢3,000).

Signed on 9th May this year, the contract enjoins the consultant not to disclose any confidential information. ''The Consultants shall not, during the term of the contract and within two years after its expiration , disclose any proprietary or confidential information relating to the services , this contract or the clients business or operations without the prior written consent of client'', clause six (6) of the contract headed confidentiality states . But today, this paper begins an exposure of the clear case of procurement law abuse in favour of rewarding NPP faithfuls and sympathizers. Dr. Arthur Kennedy confirmed in an interview that the contract was not taken through National Competitive Tendering (NCT) as stipulated in the Public Procurement Act 2003 (Act 663).

'' I don't know if I applied for the contract. I told them because I visited some of the hospitals and got to know the problems they were facing. They (Ministry of Health) asked me if I could help and I agreed'' he said. Key officials including Deputy Health Minister Abraham Dwumah Odoom refused to comment when contacted.

The ¢335million contract attracted discontent when workers at the Ministry got to know about it. Ministry sources told The Insight Health Minister Courage Quashigah initially refused to award the contract to assess the readiness of health facilities for accreditation by the National Health Insurance Council (NHIC) because the NHIS law was passed three years ago and Ghanaians have been paying premiums to enjoy it at various health facilities.

They added, the contract has no relevance since any health facility or institution which wants to be accredited only has to apply to the NHIC, which will in turn take the necessary actions.

Since 2006, more than 800 health institutions through out the country have been accredited by the NHIC without any consultancy services.

However, excessive pressure from the seat of Government, Castle Osu, left Courage Quashiegah with the only option of appending his signature to the contract, The Insight gathered.

Some hardliners at the Ministry described the contract as a 'job for the boys.' They argued that a so-called consultancy service by Dr Arthur Kennedy will not add anything significant to efficient health delivery.

The salary of the Chief Director of the Ministry a month (30 days) does not exceed 5million old cedis (GH ¢500). For a period of 90 days (approximately 100 days), that officer will earn roughly 20million old cedis (GH ¢2000), an amount which is a far cry from Arthur Kennedy's ¢335million old cedis (GH¢33,500) just in 100 days.