Five prominent Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ghana, including the Center for Democratic Development (CDD), the Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (GH-CC), the Human Rights and Governance Center, and the Media Foundation for West Africa, have initiated legal action against Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML), the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Attorney General, and former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
The CSOs have filed their case in the Accra High Court, seeking to recover over GHC 1 billion.
The CSOs allege that seven contracts awarded to SML were in direct violation of Ghana’s procurement laws. According to the plaintiffs, the contracts did not adhere to the required legal procedures, which necessitate transparency, fairness, and competitive bidding. They argue that these contracts should be declared void ab initio (from the outset), and the funds involved should be reclaimed.
Martin Kpebu, a prominent lawyer known for his work in human rights and anti-corruption, is representing the CSOs in court.
He has voiced concerns over the manner in which these contracts were awarded, suggesting that there was a deliberate effort to circumvent established procurement protocols, potentially leading to financial losses for the state.
Speaking on the development, Kpebu emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that public procurement processes are conducted with the highest level of integrity.
He noted that the case is not just about recovering money but also about setting a precedent that will deter future violations of procurement regulations. Kpebu highlighted that the integrity of Ghana’s procurement system is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring that public funds are used effectively for the country’s development.
The lawsuit has garnered significant public attention, with many Ghanaians expressing support for the CSOs’ stance on accountability and transparency in government contracts.
The legal battle is seen as a critical test of Ghana’s commitment to fighting corruption and enforcing the rule of law. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications, potentially prompting a review of other government contracts and heightening scrutiny over how public funds are managed.
This development comes at a time when issues of corruption and misuse of public funds are a hot topic in Ghanaian politics, with citizens increasingly demanding accountability and transparency from their leaders. As the case proceeds, it is expected to shed more light on the processes surrounding government contracts and the enforcement of procurement laws in Ghana.
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Story by: Osei Akoto (Teacher Kojo) #Ahotoronline.com
