NPP MP: SADA, Asongtaba had no contract to warrant abrogation

"I am disappointed because the statement is an empty one; the usual political rhetoric and it will not get anywhere," says Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

This reaction follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama asking the Savannah Development Authority (SADA) to terminate two contracts: guinea fowl rearing and processing project and an afforestation and tree growing project that it entered into with Asongtaba Cottage Industries.

According to the statement which was signed by Mr. Ben Dotse Malor, Senior Communications Adviser/Spokesperson at the presidency, the directive was issued after Dr. Mustapha Ahmed, Minister responsible for Development Authorities submitted a report concerning the two SADA activities.

The report said: “…While the projects were viable and held the potential for the creation of a significant number of jobs in the fragile Savannah area, SADA had not established the systems and mechanisms for the monitoring and supervision of these projects to ensure that the state receives value for money.”

Speaking to the issue on Citi Eyewitness news, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Efutu constituency said the directive was “a calculated political attempt by government to confuse us and tell us something is being done”.

He said the state should be told for instance, the number of trees that were planted in the afforestation project and how much Asongtaba will be refunding since they were paid up-front.

“First of all, the relationship between Asongtaba and SADA was not a contractual one. There is no contract between Asongtaba and SADA, and so there is nothing to abrogate. Maybe the person who was told to draft the statement was confused…I want to see real action; substantial demonstration of government’s commitment to accountability and transparency. Government should make available the contract for the tree planting, the joint venture agreement and others under the SADA/Asongtaba agreement,” he demanded.