Leaked Document Reveals How NPP Government Approved $5M Housing Contract Just 12 Days After Election Loss

A recently leaked document shared by GhanaWeb has exposed that the outgoing Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government awarded a nearly $5 million contract to Joberg Ghana Limited just 12 days after the 2024 general elections. The contract, which involves the construction of 18 two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments in Cantonments for the Ministry of Works and Housing, has raised questions due to the timing of the award, as the government was aware of its imminent departure from power.

The official letter confirming the award of the contract, dated December 19, 2024, was signed by Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Works and Housing. The letter, addressed to the CEO of Joberg Ghana Limited, informed the company that it had been granted the project for a total sum of USD 4,944,131.07, with the condition that the project be completed within 18 months. The letter further instructed the company to contact the ministry to finalize the contract agreement and take possession of the land where the construction would take place. It also stipulated that Joberg Ghana Limited provide a letter of acceptance along with a performance bond equal to 40% of the project cost before the agreement could be officially signed.

The contract’s award, which occurred just days after the elections, has sparked significant concern, as the government was already in the process of transitioning out of office. Critics are questioning the appropriateness and legitimacy of such a move, especially considering the potential implications of this decision in the face of a political change. The rapidity with which the contract was awarded and the fact that it is a substantial amount of money have raised eyebrows among observers, who feel that it could be an attempt to secure obligations and deals before the NPP government hands over power.

In the wake of the 2024 election results, the Transition Team of President-elect John Dramani Mahama voiced strong concerns regarding what they described as irregular activities within certain state agencies during the transition process. One of the key issues highlighted by the team was a plan by the outgoing government to release GH¢240 million to a company for work conducted with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). There were also allegations that the outgoing government was making efforts to recruit its supporters into critical institutions, including the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Bank of Ghana. These actions, according to the Transition Team, raised questions about whether they were being carried out with proper legal procedures in place.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the spokesperson for the Transition Team, stressed that the new government would ensure a thorough review of all transactions carried out by the outgoing administration, particularly those that occurred after the election. He issued a warning to anyone involved in activities that violated regulations or laws, stating that they would be held accountable when the new government takes office. Ofosu also emphasized the NDC’s commitment to ensuring that any actions taken by the previous government during the transition would be scrutinized to ensure they were legal and transparent.

This document has intensified the scrutiny surrounding the outgoing government’s actions as they prepare for the transition of power. The timing of the $5 million contract and the claims of other potentially irregular actions have raised concerns over the fairness and integrity of the transition process. Many observers are urging greater transparency in how such contracts are handled, particularly when there is an impending change in leadership.

With the NDC set to assume office soon, the Transition Team’s statements suggest that the new administration intends to be vigilant in overseeing the activities of the outgoing government. The public will likely be closely watching how these issues are addressed and whether proper procedures will be followed in all dealings leading up to the transition. The unfolding situation has sparked debate over the need for stronger governance and more stringent oversight of government transactions during times of political change.