The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has once again uncovered startling revelations about questionable deals within the current government. In his recent investigative work, the former deputy Minister for Education alleged that President Nana Akufo-Addo, together with the former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, awarded huge sums of money to Kelvin Ofori-Atta, the owner of Coupbay and Cisdan companies, which were contracted to refurbish both the Accra and Essipong Sports Stadia
According to the lawmaker, this represents a conflict of interest since the contractor appears to be a cousin of both the President and the former Finance Minister.
In a social media post, Mr. Ablakwa claimed that between March 2019 and December 2023, the government paid over GH₵ 32 million to both companies.
In a detailed breakdown of how these payments were made, the MP indicated that, “On March 18, 2019 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was paid GH₵6,006,868.44 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium.”
He added that, “On June 18, 2020 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was paid another GH₵10,662,700.28 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium. On March 10, 2021 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was again paid GH₵4,754,829.56 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium.”
The former Minister further revealed that “On May 27, 2022 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was paid an additional GH₵4,325,539.84 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium. On December 29, 2023 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Cisdan was paid GH₵6,511,245.66 to rehabilitate the Essipong Sports Stadium.”
He further questioned the government’s decision to spend such a huge amount on these stadia, yet still fail to provide stadia that meet the standards of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“You squander over GHS85million of taxpayer funds on fanthom stadium rehabilitation with familial companies only for our once highly respected country to be begging the likes of Togo and Ivory Coast to come to our aid by serving as our adopted home for international football competitions,” he argued.
Read the full statement below:
THE PROMPT ANNUAL PAYMENTS PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO AND KEN OFORI-ATTA MADE TO KELVIN OFORI-ATTA FOR STADIUM REHABILITATION WHICH COULD STILL NOT SAVE GHANA FROM A CAF BAN
I continue to make more interceptions of vital documents as I seek to unravel through diligent parliamentary oversight the mysterious situation of how Ghana still managed to earn an unprecedented monumental international embarrassment of a CAF ban despite the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration spending massive taxpayer funds on stadium rehabilitations.
Intercepted Payment Vouchers reveal that every year since 2019, President Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta made sure their cousin, Kelvin Ofori-Atta religiously received huge payments for stadium rehabilitations. (Intercepted Payment Vouchers are duly attached).
Remember that Kelvin Ofori-Atta is the owner of Coupbay and Cisdan, the two companies awarded a sweetheart deal to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium and the Essipong Sports Stadium.
Here is an interesting breakdown:
1. On March 18, 2019 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was paid GHS6,006,868.44 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium;
2. On June 18, 2020 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was paid another GHS10,662,700.28 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium;
3. On March 10, 2021 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was again paid GHS4,754,829.56 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium;
4. On May 27, 2022 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Coupbay was paid an additional GHS4,325,539.84 to rehabilitate the Accra Sports Stadium;
5. On December 29, 2023 — Kelvin Ofori-Atta’s Cisdan was paid GHS6,511,245.66 to rehabilitate the Essipong Sports Stadium.
These 5 Payment Vouchers alone amount to a staggering payment of GHS32,261,183.78.
I am also keenly tracking the 2024 demands for payment by this presidential family member responsible for stadium rehabilitations — the rehabilitation czar, Mr. Kelvin Ofori-Atta.
Never in our history have we had a government that spends so much to solve a problem only for that problem to get worse.
Another lesson from this infamous international disgrace Ghana has suffered is that it is always difficult, if not virtually impossible to demand performance and to obtain value for money in conflict of interest transactions.
You squander over GHS85million of taxpayer funds on fanthom stadium rehabilitations with familial companies only for our once highly respected country to be begging the likes of Togo and Ivory Coast to come to our aid by serving as our adopted home for international football competitions.
One thing is sure — the perpetrators of this latest international embarrassment won’t be allowed to get away!
Like most Ghanaians, I also cannot wait for the implementation of Operation-Recover-All-Loot (ORAL) when President Mahama, by God’s Grace wins the December 7, 2024 election.
For God and Country.
