Thapelo Phukubye: “we are not in normal times” is common cliché by Government officials to breach procurement regulations

Saturday, April 24, 2021

“we are not in normal times” is common cliché by Government officials to breach procurement regulations – report

A latest corruption assessment report has revealed that Government officials in Ghana have adopted a new common cliché to woefully violate the country’s procurement regulations during the coronavirus era.

“The pandemic no doubt has created conditions in which corruption could flourish. The common cliché by government officials “we are not in normal times” as an excuse to circumvent procurement regulations further heightens the corruption risk associated with government response to fighting the pandemic which has the potential to exacerbate and prolong the negative effects of the crisis on the lives of poor and vulnerable populations in Ghana.
It is against this backdrop and in line with its mandate; CDA-Ghana in February 2021, secured a 10-month small-grant project funding from the Commonwealth Foundation (CF) to implement a citizens-led advocacy and social accountability action titled Strengthening Covid-19 Accountability Mechanisms (SCAM). The SCAM Project will use evidence generated to trigger citizens led anti-corruption advocacy actions including possible engagements with relevant committees of Parliament, government so as to strengthen Covid-19 ministries, departments and agencies of Accountability Mechanisms in Ghana,” the Community Development Alliance (CDA-Ghana) and Commonwealth Foundation joint report said.

The report detailed how Ghana allegedly blew a large chunk of its over $2.1 billion Coronavirus (covid-19) cash on corrupt deals.

The 67-page report was released recently and raised corruption flag over most contracts awarded and coronavirus expenditures made by the President Nana Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government.

The report titled: “Strengthening Covid-19 Accountability Mechanisms (SCAM)”, revealed a number of stinky and shady coronavirus related deals undertaken by the Ghanaian Government.

Total amount accessed so far

“Government of Ghana have accessed and utlised GHC12,440,710,000 ($2,144,950,000) from sources such as the World Bank, IMF, Ghana Stabilization Fund, Contingency Fund of the Stabilization Fund, Ghana Heritage Fund, Ghana Exim Bank and the Covid-19 Trust Fund set up by the government,” the Executive Summary of the report revealed.

According to the report obtained by African Entertainment, “This assessment clusters Ghana’s COVID-19 corruption risks around two main issues – irregular procurement practices that violates Ghana procurement laws and corruption risks that indicates that there has been substantial breaches of anti-corruption laws, regulations, codes and international conventions and best practices.”

“This assessment addresses corruption risks associated with public procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. The assessment was carried out in March – April 2021, based on a review of background documentation, including the national legal regulatory framework for public procurement, with focus on integrity related issues, official records in both electronic and hard copy formats, checks with state agencies, and interviews governance and anti-corruption experts,” it added.