The Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Standards Authority has described as “shameful and embarrassing,” findings of an investigative committee claiming that the immediate past Executive Director of the Authority received kickbacks from a contractor.
Mr. Amponsah Bediako, told Joy News they had been “suspicious” of Dr George Crentsil all along but never quite had any concrete evidence of corruption against him.
He was reacting to the damning details of an investigative report which cited Dr Crentsil for collecting $1.2 million kickback from a contractor undertaking construction work for the Authority.
The report which was intercepted by Joy News’ investigative journalist Kwetey Nartey suggests Dr Crentsil in two tranches of $1 million and $200,000 collected the kickback from Lemet Construction, the company which won the contract to build a new block of the Standards Authority Training School at a cost of GHC15 million.
A whistleblower from the Authority was said to have triggered the investigation with an anonymous letter to the then Trades Minister Ekwow Spio-Garbrah who forwarded the complaints to the Board to investigate.
The whistleblower’s letter came at a time when the project had completely stalled with no explanation from the contractor.
The Board instituted an investigation into the matter and found that colossal amounts had been paid as kickback.
Quoting portions of the investigative report, the Contractor, Johnson Teye admitted to paying some $1.2 million to the Executive Director.
When Dr George Crentsil was quizzed on the allegation, the report said: “the Executive Director admitted taking money from the contractor but refused to state how much.
The PRO Amponsah Bediako said “We have no doubt something went wrong” but called for a higher institution to investigate the matter further.
When he was asked if he could confirm whether or not the amount involved is $1.2million, the PRO said he could not but wanted investigators to get Dr Crentsil to “confess.”
“When it comes to kickback no one will disclose. We were suspicious but had to wait for hardcore evidence.
“We only had some evidence some three weeks ago,” he stated.
He stated, however, that the two projects- the training school and pesticide lab- have both stalled and the Authority is cash-strapped.
Amponsah Bediako who claimed to have had a fruitful working relationship with Dr Crentsil pointed out some strange behavior from his boss at the tail end of his tenure.
Meanwhile, Tamale Central MP and a Member of the Trade and Industry Committee of Parliament, Inusah Fuseini said the matter must be investigated and criminal action taken if a prima facie case is established.
Source: Daily Guide
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If the standards board that represent quality standards in a country like this can record this unpatriotic act, then our country is in serious trouble. Until we all decide to change our minds and act right, we will be changing political parties like we are changing our wives daily. Our fathers have failed the nation and their fathers will come for them soon to judge them in the underworld. Youths, let us rise from our shame of doing nothing and of selfishness and greed of our fathers and lets save a dying nation.
This world is not straight at all. So Dr Crentsil will be accused of taking money and his brother Siisi Crentsil will go free? How about the Cocobod MD, Dr Opuni? He is also free and Dr Crentsil is going to jail? How? The world is not straight and it is not right. The mafia man is there go for him; Dr Crentsil is a good man. He may have made a small mistake. Dr. Crentsil pray. God is still alive. Call all your men of God to pray with you because I am sure you paid them your tait. Evangelist Tetteh, do you hear me?
Hon Haruna Iddrisu and the minority in Parliament. You have been very quiet on some interesting issues that have cropped up without any comments. Can you tell us why ? The issues are 1. Dr Crentsil at Ghana standards authority, 2. Yamoah Afrifa Ponkoh confirmation of giving bribe to assembly Members to be confirmed as MCE. 3. Yamin's allegation that he was removed from office for fighting galamsey. Ghanaians need to know what is happening. When is the next Press Conference.
Oh Uncle Joojo. So your fight for Atta Mills to come to power in 2008 was for you to also chop chop some. Now I know why you were always castigating NPP towards the 2008 elections. Anyway, NDC has been known for their chopping spree as that has been their hallmark and certainly you have proven to be one of them. But you should have spread some to your PRO and others at the top and then you will not face the music alone. This one is pure Greedy Bastard. I pray you are sent into to the cooler at Nsawam. I will only visit you with some bread.
Sorogo and Spio Gabrah supervised this corruption at GSA..... and did nothing about it. Not even stating it in the transition report. What are they covering?