We don't influence tender processes - PPA Board

The Board of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) has assured the public that they will be vindicated following investigations ordered into a documentary which implicated the CEO of the Public Procurement Authority in a conflict of interest situation.

A press release signed by the PPA Board Secretary said they had taken notice of a documentary by Manasseh Awuni Azure and a referral order by President Akufo-Addo for the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice to investigate the matter.

The press release added that the PPA Board was prepared to cooperate with the investigations.

"The Board fully welcomes HE the President’s directives to conduct investigations into the matter," the statement said.

"The Board expresses its preparedness to cooperate with the investigations. PPA hereby assures the public that upon the conclusion of the said investigations, the role of the Board of the PPA in the granting of approvals for Restricted tendering and Single Source procurement in accordance with sections 38, 39, 40 and 41 respectively of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663] as amended will be understood.

The Board further assures the public that following the investigations ordered by HE the President, it will become evident that the Board of the PPA does not influence tender processes conducted in accordance with Act 663, as amended. In addition, we are optimistic that it becomes clearer to the public that the Board does not have any control over the selection of Suppliers, Contractors and Consultants for goods, works and services presented by procurement entities in their applications for approval for Restricted and Single Source procurement processes".

Background

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on August 22 suspended the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement Authority, Mr Agyenim Boateng Adjei, over a documentary titled 'Contracts for Sale'.

It followed the broadcast of allegations made against Mr Adjei in the investigative Contracts for Sale documentary produced by Manasseh Azure Awuni.

A statement signed and issued by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin on Thursday - August 22, 2019 - said "President Akufo-Addo has, subsequently, referred the allegations involving conflict of interest to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and those relating to potential acts of corruption to the Office of Special Prosecutor, for their prompt action."

The statement said, "The President has also notified the Chairperson of the Board of the PPA to ensure that Mr A.B. Adjei hands over his office expeditiously to Mr Frank Mante, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the PPA."

Read the entire statement below;