'Akufo-Addo owes Ghanaians an explanation' - Ablakwa publishes 5G deal approval letter

North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has published the presidency's letter approving a sole-sourced contract for Ghana's 5G technology project.

In a post dated May 31, 2024, on X, the MP added his voice to why the contract for a critical infrastructure was not opened to competitive bidding.

He also questioned why the deal awarded to Next Gen Infraco was not subjected to parliamentary scrutiny.

"President Akufo-Addo owes Ghanaians an explanation on how he selected his 5G private investors and technology partners without an open competitive process.

"Why was this landmark transaction not subjected to Parliament for bipartisan scrutiny?" Ablakwa asked.

He concluded by asking rhetorically whether the next NDC government is "expected to respect all the hidden terms of this 10-year sweetheart deal?"

The August 2023 letter was signed by Mercy Debrah-Karikari, Secretary to Cabinet for the Secretary to the President.

It was addressed to Minister of Communication and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the President all in copy.

News of the sole-sourced 5G contract was first reported by Manasseh Azure Awuni, who accused government of handing the contract to a company that was one-week-old at the time.

Ursula defended the contract award during a press conference in Accra, announcing that 5G would be introduced in the next six months.

Read Ablakwa's post below:

President Akufo-Addo owes Ghanaians an explanation on how he selected his 5G private investors and technology partners without an open competitive process.

Why was this landmark transaction not subjected to Parliament for bipartisan scrutiny?

Is the next NDC government… pic.twitter.com/vOGgYf0DpI

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) May 31, 2024