I will investigate the PDS deal - John Mahama

The flag-bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama says he will prosecute all persons involved in the Power Distribution Services (PDS) deal that took over the running of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

According to him, some persons very close or related to President Akufo-Addo) were involved in the structuring of the PDS deal, which he says has caused the country to lose so much money to the benefit of some individuals.

He said "There is enough evidence to investigate the PDS deal" and that "If I become President, we will investigate PDS."

Mr. Mahama said this in a post he shared on his Facebook page on Sunday, August 23, 2020.

According to him, for the period that the ECG was handed over to PDS, all the monies they (PDS) collected had not been accounted for, and that "The people of Ghana deserves to know what happened with PDS."

He was of the view that people cannot "pocket state money and walk freely."

Background

The government through the Ministry of Finance and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Limited suspended the concession agreement with PDS Ghana Limited on July 30, 2019. This was announced by the Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah said the decision followed the detection of fundamental and material breaches of PDS’ obligation in the provision of Payment Securities (Demand Guarantees) for the transaction which have been discovered upon further due diligence.

The government explained that the suspension of the PDS agreement was in the interest of the public, and to protect the assets of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) worth over $3 billion.

According to President Akufo-Addo, the decision to make the suspension of the PDS agreement public was “for the country to know exactly what is going on, and, therefore, hold the government to account for its stewardship.”

See the full statement