AKSA Deal: Investigate every player in the value chain — Atsu Charles

NDC communication officer for the Biakoye Constituency, Atsu Charles, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the controversial AKSA Power Deal, insisting that all individuals and institutions connected to the transaction must be subjected to scrutiny.

Speaking on the Bubune Morning Show hosted by Nana Yaw Asiamah, Mr Atsu said the investigation should not target only selected individuals but must cover the entire transaction to determine what happened and whether Ghana received value for money.

His comments follow calls by Transparency International for investigations into the deal amid allegations surrounding the transaction.

Mr Atsu questioned whether Ghana's investigative institutions have the independence and courage to conduct thorough investigations into politically sensitive transactions.

He mentioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Police Service and other relevant state institutions, saying Ghanaians deserved answers on the circumstances surrounding the deal.

“Everyone wants to know that if allegations are made in that deal, let's look at what was done. If he did it well, we applaud him. If he didn't do it well, and took avenues to do something that harms the nation, that's what the investigation should proceed on.”

According to him, the AKSA transaction involved a complex chain extending from Ghana to Turkey and the United States, making it important for investigators to examine every stage of the process and identify the roles played by all parties.

He also questioned Parliament's role in scrutinising the transaction at the time, arguing that major public contracts require effective parliamentary oversight to safeguard the national interest.

Mr Atsu said the relevant parliamentary committees had a responsibility to determine whether the deal represented value for money and whether it was capable of contributing meaningfully to resolving Ghana's power challenges.

He further expressed concern over allegations that some Members of Parliament received about $46,000 in connection with the transaction.

He called for the claims to be investigated to establish whether such payments were made and, if so, identify the recipients and the purpose of the payments.

The NDC communicator also referred to an alleged $1 million payment to government officials, insisting that a proper investigation should establish the identities of the officials involved and the circumstances surrounding the alleged payment.

He maintained that political affiliation should not be used to shield anyone from accountability.

“There is no truth in saying someone is NDC, we should all ask ourselves. Whether NDC or NPP, look at what they've done to this country.”

Mr Atsu cited other controversial transactions, including the AMERI deal and the drillship transaction, as examples of cases that, in his view, highlight the need for stronger accountability in Ghana's public-sector transactions.

He also questioned the performance of the AKSA power plant, arguing that despite the financial commitments associated with the project, the facility had not delivered the expected capacity to Ghana's power sector.

He said this raised further questions about whether the country had obtained value for the resources committed to the project.

Despite calling for an investigation, Mr Atsu said he lacked confidence in the OSP's ability to fully unravel the matter.

He cited previous investigations and cases involving public officials, arguing that several high-profile cases had yet to produce conclusions that satisfied the Ghanaian public.

“I don't have that confidence in the OSP that they can carry out such an investigation.”

He therefore called for a credible and transparent investigation capable of following the money and establishing the roles of government officials, parliamentarians, intermediaries and private companies involved in the transaction.

Mr Atsu stressed that the ultimate objective should be to establish the facts and ensure accountability, regardless of whether persons implicated are affiliated with the NDC or NPP.

He said Ghana could not continue entering into major public contracts without effective oversight and accountability mechanisms to protect taxpayers' money.