Tensions flared at the Appointments Committee vetting when Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, dismissed a comparison made by Vincent Ekow Assafuah regarding alleged contract inflation.
Ablakwa had earlier raised concerns that a government infrastructure project was overpriced, but Assafuah sought to counter the claim by comparing the cost of a government-purchased Tipper truck to similar vehicles sold by a private company. “Government bought a Tipper truck for $78,000.
“Sundar sells a similar truck for $82,000 or $83,000. How do you term this an outrageously inflated contract?” Assafuah asked.
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Ablakwa, however, was unimpressed by the argument, accusing Assafuah of oversimplifying the issue. “I don’t know whether Z is the cheapest in the world, but I would ask the honourable nominee… with all due respect, comparing apples with pepper has to stop,” he said, drawing laughter from the room.
He explained that the circumstances surrounding the government’s purchase were vastly different from those of private importers.
“You are comparing vehicles imported with duty against those that were acquired without paying duties. It’s not helpful,” Ablakwa insisted.
He maintained that government procurement had serious lapses and that the cost of contracts needed urgent review.
“Procurement lacks value for money, inflationary pricing is a fact, and I am convinced Ghana could have saved $100 million,” he reiterated.
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