Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza, Member of Parliament for Adaklu and Minority Chief Whip, has disclosed critical details regarding the ongoing E-Gates scandal.
He revealed that Margins Group submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) for a project dubbed “Homegrown Border Security.”
According to Agbodza, the total cost of the project is approximately $296 million.
He suggested that the proposal raises serious concerns about the transparency, procurement processes, and financial prudence associated with the initiative
“This proposal was reviewed and watered down from MOF after technical officers started punching holes into the whole scheme.
“Margins Group, sensing trouble over the deal, revised their cost to $147m. Refer to the memo from MOF on above”.
Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza
The Minority Chief Whip disclosed that the initial cost of the “Homegrown Border Security” project was reduced from $296 million to $147 million.
He noted that despite this reduction, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) allegedly sought to fast-track approval of the transaction.
Agbodza claimed that the rush to push the deal through was driven by pressure from the Office of the Vice President.
He suggested that this urgency was linked to prior public comments made by the Vice President, who had already announced the impending rollout of an e-gate system.
According to Agbodza, this preemptive public announcement created a sense of obligation for the MoF to approve the deal, regardless of the concerns over cost, transparency, and due process.
He explained that concerns arose when the financial proposal for the Homegrown Border Security project was subjected to a sensitivity analysis.
This analysis aimed to assess the feasibility and reliability of the projected revenue streams that had been earmarked to fund the project.
He noted that the sensitivity analysis revealed potential gaps and uncertainties in the revenue assumptions, raising questions about the project’s financial sustainability.
The analysis sought to test various scenarios to determine how changes in key factors, such as border traffic volumes and fees, would impact revenue generation.
Agbodza Urges Public to Review Sensitivity Report
Furthermore, Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza called on the public to review the sensitivity analysis document attached to the “Homegrown Border Security” project proposal.
He emphasized that a careful examination of the document would reveal the various revenue streams Margins Group intended to exploit as part of what he described as a “grand looting scheme.”
He pointed out that one of the key revenue-generating strategies proposed by Margins was to impose a $50 fee for using the e-gate system.
According to Agbodza, this fee was just one of several questionable revenue points outlined in the sensitivity analysis.
“So, my dear journalist, understand that I as a lawmaker, will not just grant interviews to spew things that aren’t factual. The facts are what I have shared. The…documents clearly bear out my assertions. If I am lying, then officers in MOF are also the biggest scammers”.
Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza
“Take a closer look at the sensitivity report,” he urged, adding that the report provides clear evidence of how Margins intended to maximize financial gains from the project.
He stressed that such schemes must be exposed to prevent excessive financial burdens from being placed on ordinary Ghanaians.
Hon. Agbodza also expressed confidence in the unwavering diligence, professionalism, and efficiency of Ghana’s civil servants.
He acknowledged their vital role in upholding the nation’s administrative and governance structures, even in the face of adversity.
He further emphasized the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) commitment to resetting the country’s trajectory.
According to Agbodza, the NDC is determined to rebuild critical state institutions, restore accountability, and promote economic stability.
He assured citizens that the party would work relentlessly to improve living conditions, foster good governance, and ultimately bring joy and relief to Ghanaians. “Ghana deserves better”.
