A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Legal Directorate, Ross Osei Owusu, has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of hypocrisy over its handling of single-source procurement in the ongoing “Big Push” road contract controversy.
Speaking on Asaase Radio’s The Forum on Saturday (28 March) Osei Owusu argued that the NDC’s current reliance on sole-sourced contracts sharply contradicts its earlier stance while in opposition, when it strongly criticised the practice and promised to eliminate it.
He recalled public comments by prominent NDC figures such as Sammy Gyamfi and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who had previously condemned single-source procurement and pledged reforms to curb its use.
According to him, the latest data from investigative journalists indicates that approximately 76% of contracts under the government’s flagship road initiative were awarded through sole sourcing—raising serious concerns about consistency and accountability.
“We say one thing in opposition and when we come to power, we forget what we said,” he stated.
Osei Owusu also questioned the legal basis for some of the contracts, particularly those that may not clearly fall under the exceptional circumstances outlined in procurement laws.
He cited an example involving a contract for the renovation of a state facility, querying whether it legitimately qualified under Section 41 provisions governing single-source procurement.
“Are they telling us that the GHS11 million contract awarded to Stamboubou fell under the provisions of Section 41A to F?” he asked.
While acknowledging that single-source procurement is permitted under specific conditions, Osei Owusu maintained that its widespread application—especially in non-emergency contexts—raises red flags about potential abuse and lack of competitive value.
His remarks add to a growing chorus of political and professional voices calling for greater transparency and stricter adherence to procurement laws, as scrutiny intensifies over the government’s infrastructure spending and contracting processes.
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