Frank Kpodo
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has referred a former Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence, Frank Oliver Kpodo, to the Attorney-General for prosecution over the alleged procurement of six vehicles valued at GH¢4.8 million.
The decision follows intense scrutiny of the transaction, which was flagged in a special audit by the Auditor-General.
The audit disallowed store receipt vouchers worth GH¢4.8 million after it emerged that the vehicles in question were not supplied.
The report details a deal between the Ministry of Defence and a private company for six SUV vehicles intended for border surveillance and monitoring of the 2024 general election.
According to the report, a Stores Receipt Advice (SRA), an official document confirming that goods had been received, was issued on October 12, 2024. Subsequent checks, however, revealed that the vehicles were never delivered.
During his appearance before the Committee yesterday, Mr. Kpodo, who is now serving as a procurement officer at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, explained that the vehicles had initially been delivered but were later withdrawn due to concerns that payment might not be effected.
He further stated that he advised management to extend the contract agreement to address the situation.
However, his explanation failed to satisfy members of the Committee, who raised concerns over inconsistencies in the procurement process.
The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor, strongly rejected Mr. Kpodo’s account and called for his immediate interdiction, accusing him of personalising the transaction and failing to provide clarity on the whereabouts of the vehicles.
“You personalised the transactions, so they became your personal burden. How many vehicles were involved? If you can’t tell us where the vehicles are, at least tell us how many were there,” he stated, insisting that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources should take disciplinary action.
The Committee’s Ranking Member, Samuel Atta-Mills, subsequently referred the matter to the Attorney-General for a possible prosecution over the controversial deal.
“Just to let you know, I will have the special report sent to the Attorney-General for your prosecution,” he warned when officials from the Ministry of Defence appeared to respond to the allegations.
Mr. Atta-Mills noted that Mr. Kpodo repeatedly contradicted himself and was unable to provide clear answers to questions regarding the procurement contract.
By Ernest Kofi Adu