Public officials who succumb to unlawful political pressure will have themselves to blame

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu and chairman of the Operation Recover All Loot team, has called out officials in the outgoing Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration for what he describes as reckless financial decisions in the final days of the government’s tenure.

Ablakwa’a accusation comes after an alleged renewal of a $750,000 contract approved by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), for the support and maintenance services for electronic security installation at the Head Office of the bank and branches of the bank.

According to him this is part of a broader pattern of rushed contract approvals ahead of the upcoming government transition in January 2025.

In a post shared on his Facebook page on December 26, Ablakwa pointed to the deal involving Virtual Security Africa, a company awarded the electronic servicing contract and the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).

Ablakwa also revealed that ADB insiders are deeply concerned about the decision, with many shocked at the board’s approval of the contract. He also hinted that the contract was not subjected to the usual scrutiny and auditing procedures.

“Top ADB insiders are shocked at the Board’s decision because apart from this deal not going through the audit department, negotiations with the vendor, Virtual Security Africa have not been concluded, particularly as the main agreement is still in draft form”, the post read.

He further alleges that officials of ADB are being pressured to make the full payment of approximately GHS12 million by December 27, 2024.

” Deep throat sources at ADB tell me they are under extreme political pressure to effect full payment by tomorrow the 27th of December, 2024″, he explained

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa ended his post by saying public officials who succumb to political pressure will have themselves to blame after January 7, 2025 when John Mahama and the NDC government are officially sworn into office.

” Public officials who succumb to unlawful political pressure and effect payments will have themselves to blame after January 7, 2025.”

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang