Accra: The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has suggested that Mr. Frank Oliver Kpodo, a former Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence, should be prosecuted by the Attorney-General for allegedly falsifying documents to procure vehicles worth GHS4.8 million.
According to Ghana News Agency, the suggestion follows calls by Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor for Mr. Kpodo's immediate interdiction. This demand stems from the alleged use of falsified documents in an attempted procurement of vehicles meant for monitoring the 2024 general elections. The Auditor-General had disallowed store receipt vouchers valued at GHS4.8 million during a special audit of government commitments and payables, noting that the vehicles in question were not supplied.
During a Public Accounts Committee public hearing in Parliament House in Accra, Mr. Kpodo, who is now a procurement officer at the Ministry of Lands, explained that the vehicles had initially been delivered but were later removed due to concerns that payment might not be effected. He stated that he later advised management to extend the contract agreement.
However, his explanation raised serious concerns among Committee members. Mr. Dafeamekpor rejected the explanation and reiterated his call for interdiction, questioning Mr. Kpodo's handling of the transactions. He emphasized that Mr. Kpodo personalized the transactions, turning them into his personal burden, and insisted on knowing the number of vehicles involved if their location could not be provided.
In response, Mr. Samuel Atta-Mills, the Ranking Member of the Public Accounts Committee, supported the call for Mr. Kpodo's prosecution by the Attorney-General, reinforcing the Committee's stance on the matter.