Accra: Amandi STL, a prominent foreign-owned company operating in Ghana, is raising eyebrows as it continues to secure significant business opportunities through sole-sourcing under the new NDC government. Heads are rolling and tongues are wagging as this apparent monopoly expands in the Ghanaian public business space.
According to Ghana Web, Amandi STL, which previously secured lucrative but controversial projects under the former NPP regime, is now extending its reach by obtaining projects under the current administration. The issue lies not in the acquisition of contracts but in the delivery of results and providing value for money to the state. Despite its inability to complete prestigious projects on schedule, Amandi STL remains ahead of several other companies with proven competence in the construction industry.
Prominent projects such as the $200 million Effia-Nkwanta government hospital project and the $500 million Western Line Project remain at a standstill, with no clear timeline for completion. Despite this track record, Amandi STL has been awarded major construction works at Kotoka International Airport, now known as Accra International Airport. The company is responsible for the control tower, runway expansion, office constructions, and rehabilitation of terminal two.
The NDC government, which previously criticized the procurement practices of the previous administration, now faces criticism for continuing to consider Amandi STL for major projects. The awarding of projects such as the sea defence project to a company with a controversial history raises questions about its selection process. Concerns have been raised about whether Amandi STL is the only company capable of undertaking such projects.
The NDC government is urged to exercise caution and conduct due diligence in selecting companies for major projects to avoid repeating alleged misappropriations of state resources seen under the NPP. It is essential to ensure that companies are transparent and not attempting to conceal their identities through new subsidiaries to deceive the public.
Amandi STL's continued dominance, despite its failure to demonstrate competence and capacity in high-value projects, is a matter of national concern rather than political debate. The call for transparency and accountability in the awarding of contracts is a plea for nationalism and the prudent management of Ghana's resources.