Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has stated that the State Capture lenses are closely watching the developments regarding the controversial agreement between Akufo-Addo and Bawumia to lease the renowned W.E.B. Du Bois Centre to a private foundation for a period of 50 years.
He noted that the latest intercepted documents reveal much confusion within the government and an alarming lack of due diligence.
Hon. Ablakwa noted that President Akufo-Addo has written to the privately owned W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, confirming his participation in a sod-cutting ceremony on August 27, 2024, at the Du Bois Centre.
This, the MP stated will formally transfer the iconic center to the President’s preferred Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for a period of 50 years.
He indicated that, in confirming his participation in the sod-cutting ceremony, President Akufo-Addo appears to be unconcerned that the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation has failed to meet the conditions stipulated in the controversial 50-year agreement.
“Whereas President Akufo-Addo is eager to finalize the 50-year handover of the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre by hurriedly confirming his participation through a 6th May 2024 letter signed by his secretary, Nana Bediatuo Asante, which was addressed to the Board Chair of the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, Mr. Daniel Rose (copy attached); the President’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is frantically sounding alarm bells”.
“Chief Director of the Tourism Ministry, John Yao Agbeko wrote only last week (July 8, 2024) to the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation warning that if they do not show evidence of availability of funds amounting to US$13million in a Ghana account, evidence of funds to pay salaries of staff at the Du Bois Centre and a Performance Bond issued by an internationally recognized bank, the Ministry would not hand over the site to them”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
As such, Ablakwa stated that there is now a bizarre situation where the President has given his full blessings to his latest State Capture scheme, promising to attend the launch, despite his own Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture cautioning against proceeding with the 50-year transaction.
“27th August 2024 promises to be an exceedingly eventful day”. – Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Ablakwa Questions Due Diligence On Du Bois Museum Agreement
Furthermore, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa pointed out that the Ministry of Tourism’s letter of July 8, 2024, demanding proof of funds, raises fundamental questions about the nature and thoroughness of the due diligence carried out before the agreement was signed last year.
As such, he indicated that it is fair to also ask whether this would have been the outcome if the transaction had been transparent, presented to Parliament, and subjected to an open and competitive procurement process.
Hon. Ablakwa further stated that it has also emerged that President Akufo-Addo’s ‘favored’ architect, David Adjaye, has predictably been selected as the chosen architect to redesign the Du Bois Centre as part of the 50-year takeover agreement.
He indicated that Adjaye, the architect, appears happy to list this project on his website, confirming another insider deal executed without competitive procurement.
“The modus operandi is clearer now if you want to be favored at the highest level under this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia regime, and be invited to the create, loot, and share party, make sure you are ready to partner with David Adjaye”.
“David Adjaye has been central in the sleazy US$450million Akufo-Addo’s Cathedral project, the dubiously inflated US$222.8million Bank of Ghana Headquarters project, Agenda 111 hospitals project, Marine Drive Project, Trade Fair project, W.E.B. Du Bois Centre 50-year takeover, and all the others. You can be sure of full iron-clad presidential support once you have David Adjaye in your corner”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Ablakwa stated that the day of reckoning is fast approaching, stressing that the public would emerge victorious once again in the fight against state capture.
He noted that, in the meantime, he looks forward to questioning the Ministers in Parliament who were asked to sign this rip-off, unpatriotic, and anti-Pan-Africanist 50-year “sweetheart” agreement.
He expressed confidence that, with the citizen’s ever-expanding Anti-State Capture Coalition, they will surely defeat the canker of State Capture and rescue the country from its grip.
