Smarttys refunds GHS300k of GHS1.9m

Smarrtys Management Limited – the private firm that was embroiled in a GHS3.6 million bus branding scandal – has refunded GHS300,000, being the first instalment of GHS 1.9 million, which the Chief of Staff ordered the company to pay back to the state after investigations by the Attorney General revealed the contract was inflated.

The scandal was first exposed by the Minority in parliament, led by Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu late last year.

They raised red flags about the cost involved in branding 116 Metro Mass Transit buses with portraits of the country’s former presidents as well as that of President John Mahama.

Following the directive, Smarttys agreed with the government to pay back the money in three instalments by the end of March.

Delivering the 2016 State of the Nation Address to Parliament on Thursday February 25, President John Mahama told the House that the first instalment was recently refunded.

Transport Minister at the time, Dzifa Attivor, voluntarily resigned as a result of the scandal.