The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has announced plans to establish an office dedicated to scrutinizing government procurement processes that exceed $5 million if he is elected.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing transparency and curbing corruption within the government.
Also, as a former president, Mahama highlighted that procurement is a significant loophole that many government officials exploit for corrupt practices.
By setting up this new office, he believes that it will be possible to close this gap, ensuring that procurement activities are more transparent and resources are conserved.
“We want to eliminate corruption, we must increase accountability in government procurement processes and accountability gives power back to the people,” Mahama emphasized.
Speaking at the first edition of Mahama Conversations on July 7, he elaborated on the importance of this initiative.
Mahama stated, “As we all know, government procurement is a significant source of corruption, and no economy can sustain inclusive and equitable social and economic well-being with the penchant for public service to be self-serving and corrupt as currently the case.”
He reassured the public that the NDC is committed to upholding the integrity of public finances.
“The use of public finances will always be compliant with our national laws, transparent, justified by contemporary value for money test, and solely in the interest of the broader citizens,” he said.
Mahama concluded by assuring the people of Ghana that, “God willing as the incoming president and leader, I assure the people of Ghana that the NDC is fully committed to accountability.
This is why one of our key policies will be to set up an independent value for money office to scrutinize all government procurement above $5 million or as shall be recommended by Parliament.”
