Patrick Boamah alleges several procurement breaches in Ato Forson’s constituency projects

The Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Boamah, has accused Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson of contradicting his own calls for procurement reforms by allegedly approving major public projects through sole-source and restricted tender processes.

Contributing to the debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament, Mr. Boamah claimed that several high-value projects linked to the Finance Minister's constituency had been awarded using procurement methods that, in his view, undermine transparency and accountability.

He identified the proposed Mankessim-Ajumako-Swedru Road, a military barracks and a specialist hospital in Ajumako as projects that he alleged had been procured in ways inconsistent with the government's stated commitment to tightening procurement rules.

“Mr Speaker, go to the Finance Minister’s constituency. I’m going to demonstrate to this House three very key projects that he’s gone against what he’s reporting to this House,” he said.

According to the Okaikwei Central MP, the 111-kilometre Mankessim-Ajumako-Swedru Road project, estimated to cost about $250 million, was awarded through a sole-source procurement process.

He further alleged that the construction of a military barracks in Ajumako, projected to cost GH¢200 million, was also being undertaken through sole-source procurement.

“The Mankessim-Ajumaku-Swedru Road is 111 kilometres. It’s going to cost this country about $250 million. Single-source procurement,” he stated. “Secondly, he is going to build a military barracks in Ajumaku at 200 million Ghana cedis.”

Mr. Boamah also questioned the decision to construct a specialist hospital in Ajumako instead of Cape Coast, claiming the project, valued at an estimated GH¢850 million, was being pursued through a restricted tender process.

He argued that the alleged procurement methods were at odds with the Finance Minister's public commitment to strengthening procurement systems and promoting value for money in public spending.

“If the Minister comes to tell us that he is tightening procurement rules and regime, then I don’t believe in what he is talking about,” he said.

The legislator further alleged that the Finance Minister's constituency chairman serves as the Chairperson of the Central Regional Tender Review Committee, while another individual from the same constituency occupies the position of Deputy Chief Executive at the Public Procurement Authority, raising concerns about potential conflicts in the procurement process.