Accra: A member of the New Patriotic Party Communications Team, Alfred Thompson, has raised concerns over a controversial sole sourced contract awarded by GoldBod for the purchase of laptops and office renovation, alleging possible conflict of interest.
According to Ghana Web, Thompson, speaking on Metro TV's Good Morning show with Moro Awudu, questioned the award of the contract to Correca, a company reportedly linked to Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations at the Presidency, Stan Dogbe. Thompson highlighted that this situation raises serious governance concerns, emphasizing that public officials and their associates must not be seen to benefit from state contracts. He warned that allowing such practices could create an environment where those in power might influence procurement decisions for personal or connected interests.
Thompson also criticized the cost of the project, claiming the contract value, which he estimated at close to 12 million Ghana cedis, was excessive for what he described as only a partial renovation and supply exercise. Beyond the alleged conflict of interest, Thompson pointed to irregularities in the procurement process, questioning the timeline of the contract award and documentation. He suggested that key tender requirements may not have been properly met before work commenced.
According to him, the timing of certain approvals and certifications indicates that the contractor may not have satisfied standard procurement procedures, raising doubts about the transparency and fairness of the process. Thompson further argued that such developments undermine public trust and called for greater scrutiny of government contracts to ensure accountability.
The GoldBod contract has become a subject of public debate in recent days, with critics calling for clarification over how the deal was awarded and whether due process was followed. Government officials are yet to respond to the latest allegations.