Minister of Communications Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah has described as “absolutely false and untenable” claims that President John Dramani Mahama accepted a Ford Expedition vehicle from a Burkinabe contractor.

The vehicle, according to an investigative news report on Accra-based Joy FM on Wednesday, might have influenced the award of two major contracts to Djibril Kanazoe, the President and Director-General of Groupe Kanazoe.

But in a sharp rebuttal, Dr Omane Boamah states that the president was not, at any stage in the two contracts, involved in their award.

“The President remains committed to transparency and accountability in governance and has worked over the past years to make that a cornerstone of his administration,” a statement  issued by the Minister of Communications said.

Read the full statement below:

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS REFUTES FALSE CLAIMS AGAINST PRESIDENT MAHAMA

The Ministry of Communications has noted the contents of a programme aired on JoyFM this morning. The programme sought to link a vehicle presented to the President in 2012 to two contracts awarded to a Burkinabe-owned construction firm. The said vehicle, which was placed in the vehicle pool at the Presidency as per established convention had nothing to do with the award of the contracts.

The inference of conflict of interest is therefore absolutely false and untenable.

THE FACTS:

CONSTRUCTION WORKS AT GHANA EMBASSY, BURKINA FASO

The processes for the construction of a perimeter fence wall on a large parcel of land allocated to the Government of Ghana began in 2011, prior to President John Mahama becoming President. The scope of construction works on the 673.0 meters long fence wall involved:

• Removal of topsoil, clearing of existing rice farm and compensation for owners in accordance with Burkinabe Laws
• Reinforced concrete wall with an overall thickness of 300mm and an average height of 220mm above ground and 80mm below ground
• The mid-section of the wall involved a reinforced 12mm diameter high tensile steel at 450mm centers both ways and
• Construction of security posts with visitors waiting area among others.

Ghana’s mission in Burkina Faso forwarded three quotations from construction companies to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for consideration. The quotations from the respective companies were as follows:

• KANAZOE FRERES: 353,136,603 CFA
• COSITRAP: 413, 177, 892 CFA
• IBOUS: 462, 608, 949 CFA

The Architectural Engineering Services Limited (AESL) provided pre- and- post contract consultancy services in terms of architectural, structural, land surveying, quantity surveying services leading to preparation of technical specification, bills of quantities and tender documents, evaluation of tenders, award of contract and supervision of selected contractor to execute the construction works.

Upon due diligence, the contract was awarded to KANAZOE FRERES, who presented the lowest figure among the three companies.

There was no involvement whatsoever of the President in the processes leading up to the award of this contract. Any suggestion therefore to the contrary is palpably false and untenable.

THE 46.4km EUROPEAN UNION FUNDED DODO-PEPESU ROAD CONTRACT

The award of this contract was the result of an international competitive bidding process which was in compliance with laid down requirements of the European Union. There was absolutely no involvement of the President in the processes leading to the award of this contract.

Again, any suggestion of conflict of interest in the award of this contract is without merit.

The President remains committed to transparency and accountability in governance and has worked over the past years to make that a cornerstone of his administration. That commitment is unwavering.

Edward OMANE BOAMAH (DR.)

MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS

ACCRA

Source: 3news.com|Ghana

Twitter: @3Newsgh