Kwasi Amoako-Attah
In the wake of serious allegations of organized crime in the award of road contracts, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, has called upon the Executive Director of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate the matter thoroughly.
The accusations came to light following an interview on Friday, October 20, 2023, in which a former Rector of GIMPA and Board Chairman of GRA, Prof. Stephen Adei, claimed that he had information indicating that individuals seeking road contracts had been instructed to pay $1 million upfront in order to secure the contracts they were seeking.
In response to this, the Roads Ministry issued a statement in which it stated that the allegations were surprising given that the system governing the award of road contracts was one that was based on open, transparent competition and legal procedures.
However, given the gravity of the accusations, the Minister of Roads and Highway, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, requested that the EOCO undertake a full investigation.
The ministry also stated that they would not hesitate to offer full cooperation and support to the EOCO in their efforts to uncover the truth behind the allegations.
This move is expected to bring comfort to stakeholders and industry players who have been calling out for transparency and accountability in the award of road contracts.
The roads and highways sector is a crucial element in the nation’s development, and any corruption in the awarding of contracts could significantly impact the quality of the country’s road infrastructure.
The EOCO’s investigations are expected to shed light on the allegations and put an end to any corrupt activities harming the industry and the country at large.
By Vincent Kubi