More shady deals at Sports exposed

The Ghanaian Chronicle says fresh details emerging over the award of contracts for the provision of costumes for Ghana\'s contingent to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games have raised eyebrows and set tongues wagging as to the transparency of the bidding process.

Investigations, it said, have revealed that a certain George Ayitey Addoquaye, contrary to laid down rules undergirding the process of bidding for contracts, was awarded two different contracts after presenting two bids with two different companies.

It turned out however that the two companies, Gaddompey Enterprise and Ricochet Company Limited which won bids totalling 17.9 million cedis and awarded by the regional tender board, belonged to him from a search made at Registrar- General\'s Department.

A response of the Ministry of Youth and Sports to the Chronicle\'s questionnaire disclosed that Gaddopompey was awarded contracts to supply 125 athletic pennants. 125 boxing pennants and 60 souvenil (sic) boxing gloves.

The other contract involved the provision of 100 pieces each of Locos \"T\" Shirts, Socks, Neck Ties, White \"T\" Shirts and 20 pieces of Ladies Blouse all totalling 17.9 million cedis.

According to the Ministry, Addoquaye\'s companies managed to stave off opposition from two different companies from each bid to win the two.

Another contract to provide 80 pairs of jumpers and shorts, 10 boxing pants, 100 ceremonial track suits costing 58 million cedis was awarded to Jonathan AddoAryee Mingle a long time, sports wear manufacturer and close pal of ex-Minister, Hon. Enock Teye Mensah.

In all over 13 companies offered bids for the contract with at leat two each bidding for one contract. \"Interestingly the response of the Ministry does not list any company as having offered a bid for the abovementioned contract,\" the paper said.

Mr Enock Teye has not responded to Chronicle\'s enquiries sent to him over two weeks ago.