Roads minister traps himself with EOCO investigation
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- Explore the Roads Minister ‘s move to trigger an EOCO investigation in this revealing report.
Ghana ‘s Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, has found himself in a complex situation. In August 2023, he made headlines by openly acknowledging the presence of corrupt individuals within his ministry. Fast forward to October, and the same minister has initiated an investigation into allegations made by Prof. Stephen Adei, the former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). The allegations revolve around the charging of hefty sums of money by road contractors in Ghana ahead of contract awards, execution, and payments. This U-turn from the minister has sparked intrigue and questions regarding the integrity of the ministry he oversees.
The August Admission
In August, during an inspection tour of a road construction project, Amoako-Attah expressed frustration with the prevalence of corruption in his ministry. He lamented that, despite dismissing some corrupt officials, new hires turned out to be even worse, contributing to the poor quality of roads in Ghana. He called for the prosecution of these officials to discourage such practices.
also read: FLASHBACK: Thieves! Corrupt people in my ministry – Roads Minister roars again (ghanaeducation.org)
Prof. Adei’s Allegations
On the other hand, Prof. Stephen Adei had alleged that individuals seeking road contracts were required to pay an upfront fee of GH¢1 million.
He criticized the Akufo-Addo administration for raising the hopes of Ghanaians only to disappoint, suggesting that officials demanded payments from contractors even before contracts were awarded. These allegations prompted the minister to take action.
Minister’s U-Turn and EOCO Investigation
In an unexpected move, Amoako-Attah requested the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate Prof. Adei’s allegations. The ministry defended its stance, asserting that the award of road contracts followed open, transparent, and lawful procedures. Given the gravity of the allegations, the ministry fully cooperated with EOCO’s investigation.
Transparent and Public Cooperation
Nasir Ahmad Yartey, Head of Public Relations at the Ministry of Roads and Highways, emphasized the seriousness of the allegations and their potential impact on the ministry’s integrity.
He urged Prof. Adei to assist EOCO in uncovering the truth and encouraged the public to come forward with information to aid the investigation. The ministry is committed to transparency and addressing the allegations appropriately.
This unexpected turn of events highlights the complexity of addressing corruption allegations within government institutions. Ghana’s Ministry of Roads and Highways is now navigating a path towards transparency and accountability by allowing a thorough investigation into the allegations.
The outcomes of this investigation will likely shed light on the situation and contribute to a more open and trustworthy government approach to road contracts in Ghana.
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