By Gloria Anderson
MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has petitioned the World Bank to investigate a project being rolled out by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation.
Mr. Ablakwa alleged a litany of major irregularities, illegal conduct, and fundamental breaches of the Bank’s Anti-Corruption Guidelines in the award and execution of the Contract for the Procurement of Connectivity Needs to Increase High-Speed Government Connectivity to District Centers, Hospitals, Police Stations, and Post Offices in Five Lots under the e-Transform Project.
According to him, the $48 million Ascend Contract for the project did not go through the Public Procurement Authority, which he says is a clear violation.
In December 2022, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation awarded the World Bank-funded project worth 49-point-five million dollars to Airtel Ghana Limited and Ascend Digital Solutions Limited.
Mr. Ablakwa said the petition is anchored on ”unimpeachable documents and the patriotic and credible accounts of whistleblowers who courageously stand ready to assist the Bank in its much-needed investigations”.
He said the documents in his possession which bring him to an irresistible conclusion of collusion, misrepresentation, and other multiple legal violations include Tender Submission Documents from AirtelTigo/Ascend Digital Solutions Limited.
