The Minority in Parliament is demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the consultant, contractor, and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) over the controversial payment of $11.9 million for the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project, despite no work being done on the site.
The call was made during a debate on the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) reports on the Auditor-General’s findings on BoG’s foreign exchange receipts and payments for the periods ending June 30, 2022, and December 31, 2022.
The PAC report revealed that $11,949,088.06 was paid to M/S Powerchina International Group Limited as the final payment for the construction of the Pwalugu Irrigation Project. However, no work had commenced at the project site after the payment.
Contributing to the debate on the motion, MP for Bia East, Richard Acheampong argued that the findings of the Public Accounts Committee are deeply troubling.
The state, he said, cannot sit back while public funds are squandered.
“Those responsible for this scandal, from the contractor to the Bank of Ghana, must be held accountable. We demand their immediate arrest and the recovery of every penny of the $11.9 million paid without justification,” he said.
The Minority emphasized that public funds must be safeguarded, calling for punitive measures against those involved to deter future misuse.
John Jinapor, member for Yapei Kusawgu argued that a visit to the site show only two trips of sand and 48 cement blocks at the dam site.
According to him, the contractor received the full payment and vanished, leaving no trace of work done stressing, “How do we explain this to the Ghanaian people?”
The PAC report also recommended that the Bank of Ghana take immediate steps to recover the funds from the contractor.
“The Bank of Ghana must act swiftly to recover the $11.9 million from the contractor. This is not just a loss to the state but an insult to Ghanaians who expect accountability in the use of public funds,” the report noted.
The Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam project, touted as a significant infrastructure initiative, has now become a lightning rod for criticism over financial mismanagement.
The Minority has vowed to continue pressing for accountability, urging the incoming government and anti-corruption agencies to ensure the funds are recovered and all culprits are brought to justice.