ELS: MBN360 NEWS
The Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Boamah, has accused Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson of failing to uphold the procurement standards he advocates after allegedly approving major projects through sole-source and restricted tender processes.
Speaking during the debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament, Mr Boamah claimed that three major projects linked to the Finance Minister’s constituency were awarded through procurement methods that raise concerns about transparency.
He cited the construction of the Mankessim-Ajumako-Swedru Road, a military barracks and a specialist hospital in Ajumako as examples of what he described as inconsistencies between the Minister’s public position on procurement reforms and actions within his constituency.
“Mr Speaker, go to the Finance Minister’s constituency. I’m going to demonstrate to this House three very key projects that he’s gone against what he’s reporting to this House,” he said.
According to Mr Boamah, the 111-kilometre Mankessim-Ajumako-Swedru Road project is expected to cost about $250 million and was awarded through sole-source procurement.
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He also alleged that the planned construction of a military barracks in Ajumako, estimated at GH¢200 million, was being undertaken through a similar procurement arrangement.
“The Mankessim-Ajumaku-Swedru Road is 111 kilometres. It’s going to cost this country about $250 million. Single-source procurement,” he stated. “Secondly, he is going to build a military barracks in Ajumaku at 200 million Ghana cedis.
Mr Boamah further criticised the decision to site a proposed specialist hospital in Ajumako instead of Cape Coast, claiming the project, estimated at GH¢850 million, was being pursued through a restricted tender process.
The Okaikwei Central MP argued that the alleged procurement arrangements contradicted the Finance Minister’s stated commitment to strengthening procurement systems.
“If the Minister comes to tell us that he is tightening procurement rules and regime, then I don’t believe in what he is talking about,” he said.
Mr Boamah alleged that the Finance Minister’s constituency chairman serves as chairperson of the Central Tender Review Committee, while another person from the same constituency is a deputy chief executive at the Public Procurement Authority.
