Investigate contract awards - NPP Youth

Accra (Greater Accra), 15 Feb '99 -

The Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to investigate the role of the Controller and Accountant General's Department (CAGD) in awarding contracts for printing value books. "We are demanding a comprehensive probe into the procurement procedures adopted by the CAGD and the award of contracts to Checkpoint Limited", adding " the cost of printing VAT invoices had to be subsidised at the incredible cost of 15,000 cedis per booklet, which will ultimately be borne by the already impoverished taxpayer". These were contained in a press statement signed by Mr Abeeku Dickson, acting National Youth Organiser of NPP. The statement demanded an explanation as to why other printing houses were not invited to bid for the printing contract, which was awarded by CAGD. " It is indeed hypocritical that at this time that the NDC government is preaching accountability and entreating Ghanaians to embrace VAT towards generating more revenue, the same government is awarding contracts by using the questionable procurement procedures of 'sole sourcing' and 'selective tendering', which have led to the loss of billions to the state".