The Auditor-General’s report has uncovered a web of irregularities and potential conflicts of interest in the awarding of contracts to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited (SGAGL), a company partially owned by Stephen Okoro, the son-in-law of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
SGAGL received contracts worth over $89 million for the supply of ambulances and spare parts for the One-Constituency One-Ambulance Initiative.
The report reveals that SGAGL submitted inflated invoices and was paid for services rendered by National Ambulance Service (NAS) staff, who were simultaneously employed by SGAGL.
This raises concerns about the company’s expertise and track record, as well as potential conflicts of interest.
The fact that NAS staff were working for SGAGL while charging the state for those services suggests a lack of transparency and accountability in the contracting process.
The Ministry of Health justified the contracts, citing a service agreement between the defunct Ministry of Special Development Initiatives and SGAGL.
However, the Auditor-General’s report raises questions about the transparency and fairness of the contracting process.
The report suggests that the Ministry of Health may have been complicit in the irregularities, and that the Office of the Chief of Staff may have played a role in the contracting process.
Stephen Okoro, a Ghanaian-born Nigerian, has business ties with the President’s daughters, Gyakroma and Edwina, and co-owns SGAGL with Alvin Mensah, a business partner of the President’s daughters.
This raises concerns about nepotism and favoritism in the awarding of contracts. The fact that Okoro has business ties with the President’s daughters suggests that he may have had an unfair advantage in the contracting process.
The report highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the contracting process. The Auditor-General’s recommendations, including a review of the Service Maintenance Agreement with SGAGL, are a step in the right direction.
However, more needs to be done to address the systemic issues that led to these irregularities.
The report has implications for the integrity of the contracting process and the use of public funds, and highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability.
