News:
July 29, 2026
Okaikwei Central Member of Parliament, Patrick Yaw Boamah, has accused Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson of contradicting his own procurement reform agenda, citing three major projects in the Minister’s constituency allegedly awarded through single-source and restricted tendering processes.
Contributing to the debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Boamah referred to paragraphs 465 and 466 of the review, which outline government plans to shorten procurement lead times, limit single-source procurement, and tighten restricted tendering. He argued that these reforms are inconsistent with procurement arrangements for projects in the Finance Minister’s constituency.
The MP cited three specific projects: the 111-kilometre Mankessim-Ajumako-Swedru road, estimated at approximately US$250 million, which he alleged was procured through single-source; a military barracks in Ajumako valued at GH¢200 million; and a specialist hospital project worth GH¢850 million, which he claimed was procured under a restricted tendering arrangement.
“If the Minister comes to tell us that he is tightening procurement rules and regime, then I don’t believe in what he is talking about,” Mr Boamah told Parliament. He also questioned the decision to site major projects in Ajumako, insisting that residents need employment opportunities and timely payment of cocoa farmers rather than a military barracks.
Mr Boamah further raised concerns over alleged conflicts of interest in public procurement oversight, pointing out that the constituency chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Finance Minister’s constituency serves as chairman of the Central Tender Review Committee, while the deputy CEO of the Public Procurement Authority also hails from the same constituency, and the Ministry of Finance supervises the PPA.
The NPP lawmaker also criticised the government’s failure to provide an update on its campaign promise to create 800,000 jobs, and questioned why a government that has raised significant revenue cannot meet its obligations to doctors, nurses, and teachers.
Ghanamps.com