Ghana: Govt in Another $98m Deal With Smarttys – Minority Leader

Minority Leader Osei Kyei Mensa-Bonsu

Minority Leader Osei Kyei Mensa-Bonsu is alleging the embattled CEO of Smartty’s Management Limited, Selassie Ibrahim, is fronting for a Chinese firm in an electrification deal with the state. Smarttys productions was at the centre of the “fraudulent” bus branding saga which cost the state GHc3.6 million, according to a pro-forma invoice dated July 26,2015, and signed by the Accounts Officer of the company. The proposed new deal between government and the unnamed Chinese firm, according to the Minority Leader, will be worth $98 million. According to the Minority leader, this contract was contained in documents brought to parliament for approval. “Selassie was fronting for a Chinese company involved in some electrification project for which this nation will have to cough up $98 million,” Osei Kyei Mensa-Bonsu revealed in an interview with Citi News.

This revelation however comes on the back of a directive from the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, ordering Smarttys to refund to the state, GHc1.9 million of the GHc3.6 million paid for the branding of 116 public buses. The Suame Legislator said it will be suicidal for any company associated with Selassie Ibrahim to be considered for a government contract until she has been cleared in the bus branding scandal.

“This is a woman who is involved in some impropriety. The matter is pending. It is on the front burner and then we allow her to front for a Chinese company and offer her a contract to the tune of $98 million.” “Are we serious as a nation?” he further questioned. The fallout from the bus branding saga saw Transport Minister Dzifa Attivor resign from her position.