The vetting of Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, took an intense turn when he clashed with Vincent Ekow Assafuah over alleged inflation in government contracts.
The heated exchange unfolded during the Appointments Committee session, where Ablakwa defended his stance on financial mismanagement in public procurement.
Assafuah challenged Ablakwa’s claim that a particular government contract was outrageously inflated, arguing that a Tipper truck purchased for $78,000 was not excessively priced when compared to market figures.
“Government bought a Tipper truck for $78,000. If you say it was outrageous, the big question is, what is the market value for such an amount?” he asked.
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He cited a company, Z, which sells similar trucks for $82,000–$83,000, insisting there was no significant inflation.
However, Ablakwa dismissed the argument, stating that Assafuah’s questioning lacked depth. “Clearly, my good friend, the Honorable Assafuah, has to do more work. As for this work he has done, with all due respect, it leaves much to be desired,” Ablakwa responded.
He pointed out that the trucks in question were imported without paying duties, while the prices Assafuah referenced included tax components.
“I did an RTI request, and I asked the DACF administrator, ‘Did you pay duties on the trucks?’ They said no. Z is importing their trucks and paying duties. So, of course, should you not factor that in?” he asked.
Ablakwa insisted that Ghana could have saved $100 million if better financial oversight had been exercised.
“Procurement lacks value for money, inflationary pricing is a fact, and I am convinced that Ghana could have saved $100 million,” he maintained.
The exchange highlighted the growing scrutiny over government procurement and the need for greater transparency in contract negotiations.
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