Export Promotion Authority blows GHC100,000 on 3 minute video documentary

The massive rot which cost the job of Gifty Klenam as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), as well as that of her deputy, Eric AmoakoTwum, has returned with report saying an outrageous amount of GH¢100,000 (1 Billion old Ghana cedis) has been blown on a three-minute video documentary by the current management.

The contract for the video, which was awarded to a company called, Yaw Pare Photography, did not go through competitive tender process as expected by the procurement laws of the country.

But the amount, has since been paid to the company by the current CEO of GEPA, Afua Asabea Asare. She is supported by one Yaw Dentu; her deputy.

There are claims that, some officers at GEPA, including the Procurement officer, as well as Internal Auditor, who separately queried the contract and the outrageous payment to Yaw Pare Photography, have been removed from their designated posts.

An invoice from Yaw Pare Photography, which has been cited by The Herald, revealed that the GHc100, 000, has since landed in the bank account of the company at First Atlantic Bank, East Legon Branch. The account number is 0002012701070.

The breakdown of the payment involved in producing the three-minute video documentary are that, GH¢55,000, was spent on editing, voice over, animation, soundtrack and intellectual work, while GH¢35,000 was used for the hiring of drones, cameras, sound and lighting gears.

An additional GH¢10, 000, making the total amount GH¢100,000 was devoted to accommodation, food and transport.

The invoice is dated March 10, 2019.

It is unclear, however, when the short video promoting Ghana’s export potentials will air.

Media reports, have linked outrageous amount to the infamous Ministry of Special Development Initiatives budget in 2018 the ministry earmarked to spend GH¢800,000 approximately $200,000 in designing a website for the Ministry as contained in its 2018 proposed budget.

Not long ago, The Herald brokered the story of Gifty Klenam, and her deputy Eric Amoako Twum, who were involved in some outrageous payments to themselves as travelling allowances, clothing allowances, rents and other things.

The Herald’s exposé led to President Akufo-Addo, firing them over the massive mismanagement of funds belonging to the authority.

According to reports, Madam Klenam and her deputy, collected $132,000 or GH¢580,800 for house rent, covering a period of two years in gross violation of state procurement laws.

The amount was said to have actually been cashed from First Atlantic Bank Ghana and used for the rents, and the authority in its response failed to address the substantive issues that have been raised against Ms. Klenam and her deputy.

However, the current CEO, appears not to have learnt any lesson from that episode as she is reported to have increased her own salary from GHC11, 000 to GHC30, 000.

Travelling at will and at the expense of the GEPA under the claim of promoting Ghana’s non-traditional export items.

Recently she undertook a trip to the US, flying to Istanbul-Turkey to the US to promote exportable items and came by through Dubai and staying for a while before landing in Ghana. The trip is said to have cost almost GHC50, 000.

GEPA under Afua Asabea Asare is reportedly paying over GHC93, 000 for accommodation for one of her deputies CEOs.

The money is to be going to a company called Landlord Diamond Grade Limited owners of the said property located at East Legon in Accra.

It is not clear if the Ministry of Trade and Industry led by Alan Kyeremanteng, which has oversight responsibility is aware of these matters.