Accra: Dr Razak Kojo Opoku, former Public Relations Manager of the National Lottery Authority, has stated that there is nothing wrong if only 44 percent of contracts are awarded on sole-sourcing. 'If it is true that only 44% of the Big Push road projects were awarded under sole-sourcing to local contractors as a means of empowering indigenous entrepreneurs, then what is scandalous about that? Must all contracts undergo competitive tendering before you can assume or expect value for money, transparency, and accountability'?
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Opoku remarked in a statement that if single-source procurement amounted to corruption, then the Procurement Act 2003 (Act 663) and Act 914 (2016) should be amended to completely remove single-source procurement and restricted tendering, making it a criminal offense for any Ministry, Agency, Departments of government, State Institutions, or MMDAs to engage in such practices. He highlighted that single-source procurement and restricted tendering are globally accepted methods but are often demonized by African politicians due to mischief and propaganda.
Dr Opoku noted the shifting attitudes of politicians towards sole-sourcing, pointing out how some who opposed it while in opposition now defend it in government, and vice versa. He criticized the lack of principled political discourse, with politicians often exploiting the concepts of value for money, accountability, and transparency to score political points. He argued that if 44% of the Big Push Projects were given to foreign companies, there would be no criticism.
He urged for a bi-partisan approach in criticizing procurement practices and warned that some CSOs and Think Tanks exploit the ignorance and vulnerability of politicians. He emphasized that sole-sourcing and restricted tendering are used globally, citing examples from America to Europe, and even by international bodies like the IMF and World Bank. Dr Opoku stressed the importance of assessing the cost, competence, and quality of projects awarded through these methods.
Dr Opoku called for Ghanaians to focus on the growth of the local economy and job creation, noting that sole-source procurement, restricted tendering, and exclusivity licenses are essential for national development, especially in infrastructure and technology-based sectors. He defended the Ministry of Roads' decision to award 44% of the Big Push projects under sole-source contracts aimed at empowering local contractors, provided the projects are executed properly.
He raised concerns about potential issues such as overpricing, favoritism, and compliance with procurement laws, urging transparency in awarding sole-source contracts. Dr Opoku questioned whether future governments would maintain zero tolerance for sole-source contracts and whether there was evidence of financial mismanagement in such contracts.
Dr Opoku concluded by advocating for a national development policy that empowers local businesses through sole-sourcing and restricted tendering, highlighting the potential benefits of job creation, wealth generation, and economic growth through indigenous entrepreneurship.