ISODEC calls for transparent processes to curb judgment debt abuse

The Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) has called for the review of the National Procurement Act, in view of the inherent weaknesses that have allowed the festering of dubious procurement.

The centre has also supported the call for a public inquiry into the payment of judgment debts to identify those whose actions or inaction in the country has incurred these monumental losses.

A statement issued in Accra on Friday by Dr Steve Manteaw, Coordinator, media and Campaign, said the members of such commission of inquiry must be non-partisan, including judges, lawyers, accountants, finance expert and the clergy.

This is to make anybody found culpable pay for the losses and punish such people to deter those who may be tempted to repeat their mistakes in the future.

It said the commission’s recommendation should include needed policy, legislative and reforms and guidelines on how to deal with suspected dubious contracts inherited by successful governments.

It said what was more worrying in all these developments were their potential ramification on foreign investment and donor assistance.

The statement noted that the ongoing attempts at political equalisation on these issues were totally unacceptable and added that “our worse fear are that the national interest will be completely lost if this is allowed to pass as a partisan issue”.

It recommended an open contracting across all sectors of the national economy, to provide cover for shady contracts which eventually leads the country into avoidable disputes and costs.**