Contracts for Sale: We’re not complicit – PPA board

The Board of the Public Procurement Authority has denied any complicity in the infamous Contract for sale scandal that has hit the Procurement Authority.

However, a statement issued by the Board of the PPA on Friday indicated its preparedness to cooperate fully with investigations into the matter following President Akufo-Addo’s directive to the Special Prosecutor to probe the matter.

“…PPA hereby assures the public that upon the conclusion of the said investigations, the role of the Board of the PPA in the granting of approvals for Restricted tendering and Single Source procurement in accordance with sections 38, 39, 40 and 41 respectively of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 [Act 663) as amended will be understood,” excerpts of the Release by the PPA Board said.

The Statement by the PPA Board comes after it also took the flak for the rot festering in the Procurement Authority.

Critics including the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations(CSOs) have called for the suspension of the entire Board of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) pending investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

In a Joint Release by the CSOs said, the Board cannot be left blameless in the alleged scandal as the revelation made in the Manasseh Azure documentary questions the Board’s knowledge of the Conflict of Interest injunction imposed by Article 284 of the 1992 Constitution and how to manage it.

The statement added: "the Board’s oversight or possible complicity in the possible abuse of the restricted tendering rules requires them to step aside for a thorough investigation to be completed.”

But the Board in its statement assured the public that following the investigations ordered by the President, it will become evident that the Board of the PPA does not influence tender processes conducted in accordance with Act 663, as amended.

“In addition, we are optimistic that it becomes clearer to the public that the Board does not have any control over the selection of Suppliers, Contractors and Consultants for goods, works and services presented by procurement entities in their applications for approval for Restricted and Single Source procurement processes.”



Below is the full Statement by PPA Board

STATEMENT BY THE BOARD OF THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY

On a documentary by Manasseh Awuni Azure entitled Contracts for sale

The Board of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) has taken notice off a documentary by Manasseh Awuni Azure, titled “Selling of Government Contracts, which was aired in the evening of Wednesday, 21st August 2019 on Joy News TV and subsequently on other media platforms.

The Board’s attention has been further drawn to the referral by His Excellency (HE) the President of the matters contained in the documentary to the Office of the Special Prosecutor for investigations, as well as, a complaint lodged with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

The Board fully welcomes HE the President’s directives to conduct investigations into the matter. The Board expresses its preparedness to cooperate with the investigations. PPA hereby assures the public that upon the conclusion of the said investigations, the role of the Board of the PPA in the granting of approvals for Restricted tendering and Single Source procurement in accordance with sections 38, 39, 40 and 41 respectively of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 [Act 663) as amended will be understood.

The Board further assures the public that following the investigations ordered by HE the President, it will become evident that the Board of the PPA does not influence tender processes conducted in accordance with Act 663, as amended. In addition, we are optimistic that it becomes clearer to the public that the Board does not have any control over the selection of Suppliers, Contractors and Consultants for goods, works and services presented by procurement entities in their applications for approval for Restricted and Single Source procurement processes.

The Board wishes to assure the public that, there is no disruption to the operations of the PPA.