The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has warned contractors, suppliers, consultants, and the general public to disregard fraudulent contract award notices and fake procurement publications being circulated in the Fund’s name.
In a statement issued on Friday, May 15, the Fund expressed concern over an act by some individuals and groups using false procurement advertisements and supposed contract opportunities to deceive unsuspecting members of the public and extort money from prospective bidders and contractors.
The publications currently in circulation, GETfund disclosed, are unauthorised and do not originate from the Fund. It clarified that it does not directly award work contracts to contractors, contrary to claims contained in the fake notices.
The Fund explained that its role is limited to allocating projects to various coordinating councils after parliamentary approval and requests from stakeholders, including heads of institutions, Members of Parliament, and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
“Any individual, contractor, supplier, consultant, or organisation that engages with persons behind such fraudulent publications does so at their own risk and will not be dealing with GETFund in any official capacity. GETFund shall not be held liable or responsible for any loss, financial commitment, or engagement arising from dealings connected to these fake publications or unauthorised procurement claims,” the statement warned.
Meanwhile, GETFund is working closely with the Ghana Police Service and other national security agencies to investigate the matter and ensure that those behind the fraudulent activities are arrested and prosecuted, urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, publications, communications, or activities linked to the fake contract award schemes to the nearest police station or relevant security agency.
“The Fund reiterates that all official procurement processes, contract awards, and public notices of GETFund are communicated only through authorised and verifiable channels in accordance with established public procurement laws and procedures,” the statement added.
