A damning investigation has exposed what appears to be a troubling contradiction at the heart of the government’s financial management, as a ministry under President John Mahama is reported to have awarded 81 sole-sourced contracts worth over GH₵73 billion in just seven months.
The revelation, published by The Fourth Estate, directly undermines the administration’s repeated public assurances of fiscal discipline and prudent spending.
A Pattern That Raises Questions
Sole sourcing, under Ghana’s procurement laws, is intended to be used sparingly, typically in cases of emergency or where only one supplier is available. However, the scale and frequency uncovered in this report suggest something far from exceptional.
Eighty-one contracts in seven months translates to more than 11 sole-sourced deals every month.
Critics argue that such a pattern cannot reasonably be explained by emergencies alone.
“This is not just unusual, it is alarming,” a procurement expert who spoke on condition of anonymity said. “When sole sourcing becomes the default rather than the exception, transparency is the first casualty.”
GH₵73 Billion: A Staggering Figure
The total value of the contracts, GH₵73 billion, has also drawn sharp criticism.
To put this into context, the amount rivals major national expenditure programs and could significantly impact key sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Yet, according to the report, these funds were committed through a procurement method that sidesteps competitive bidding, raising concerns about value for money.
Government’s Prudence Message Undercut
The development is particularly damaging because it clashes directly with President John Mahama’s own messaging on economic discipline.
Since assuming office, the administration has consistently emphasized the need for:
- Careful spending
- Fiscal consolidation
- Responsible economic management
But this latest disclosure paints a different picture, one critics say reflects extravagance behind the scenes.
Echoes of Past Controversies
The report also revives memories of previous procurement controversies, including the widely criticized Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) deal, which was similarly awarded under questionable circumstances.
That case triggered:
- Investigations
- Public outrage
- Calls for greater accountability
With this new development, observers warn that the government risks reinforcing perceptions of a systemic disregard for procurement rules.
Calls for Accountability Growing
Civil society groups and governance advocates are already demanding answers.
Key questions being raised include:
- What justified the use of sole sourcing in all 81 cases?
- Were all legal procedures followed?
- Did the country receive value for money?
There are also increasing calls for institutions such as Parliament and anti-corruption bodies to step in and scrutinize the contracts.
A Test of Credibility
For many Ghanaians, this issue goes beyond procurement. It is about trust.
At a time when citizens are being asked to endure economic hardship and accept tough fiscal measures, revelations of large-scale, non-competitive contracting risk are deepening public frustration.
If left unaddressed, analysts warn, the situation could further erode confidence in the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
As pressure mounts, the Mahama administration faces a critical test: will it explain and justify these contracts, or allow yet another procurement controversy to fade without consequence?
