The $74 million waste bin scandal has taken a new turn after investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni revealed key figures behind the controversial contract, casting serious doubt on the fairness and transparency of the procurement process.
According to Manasseh’s findings, Julius Debrah, who served as Chief of Staff in 2016, was the one who initiated the procurement process for one million waste bins.
However, Manasseh raised concerns about Debrah’s lack of oversight, questioning why he did not request a status report on the project before moving forward with the procurement.
The scandal took a deeper twist with Collins Dauda, the Local Government Minister at the time, awarding the contract to five companies owned by the Jospong Group, despite the fact that many waste bins were already left unused in local assemblies across the country.
Manasseh found it particularly troubling that Dauda didn’t challenge the unusually high cost of the polythene bags included in the contract, further raising doubts about the legitimacy of the process.
The scandal also implicates Joseph Siaw Agyepong, CEO of Zoomlion and Chairman of Jospong Group, who secured the $74 million deal for supplying the waste bins and liners.
However, following Manasseh’s investigation, the contract was canceled before any payments were made, proving the power of investigative journalism in exposing corruption and holding individuals accountable.
While the cancellation of the contract is seen as a positive outcome, the investigation continues to shed light on systemic issues that enabled the scandal to occur.
The story highlights the need for greater scrutiny in government procurement processes and stronger safeguards against corruption.
Manasseh’s work also underscores the critical role of a free press in promoting transparency and accountability, serving as a reminder that investigative journalism is vital for holding powerful figures to account.
As the public demand for transparency grows, the need for systemic reforms in Ghana’s governance processes becomes more apparent.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
