In recent times, there have been rising calls for accountability and transparency regarding the government construction of a Multi-Purpose Dam in the Northern part of the country following a shocking disclosure of payment of monies to contractors supervising the projects during a Public Account Committee sitting without evidence of any tangible work done at the project site.
The agitations and calls for accountability follow similar sentiments expressed by several civil society organizations and well-meaning Ghanaians about the viability of the government construction of the One Village One Dam initiative in the five Northern regions.
Many critics, including the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, vehemently posit that the 570 dams constructed by the then Ministry of Special Development Initiatives (MSDI) in Northern Ghana were not economically viable as they mostly dry off during the dry season.
The ongoing advocacy for transparency and accountability in these development projects has reached new heights, with the Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA) taking a prominent stance and petitioning both the Auditor-General and the Speaker of Parliament, demanding an audit of the government’s One Village One Dam (1V1D) initiative and the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam project.
The group, in its petition, noted that the One Village One Dam initiative, designed to foster socio-economic transformation in the five regions of Northern Ghana, which was launched with high expectations per its recent assessment reveals a disappointing reality.
According to the Civil Society Organization, many of the dams constructed under the initiative are not fit for purpose and have cost more than double the budgeted amount of GHS 250,000, raising serious concerns about potential financial mismanagement and inefficiencies in the implementation of the projects.
“The joy was however short-lived as none of the 570 dams constructed by the then Ministry of Special Development Initiatives (MSDI) in Northern Ghana contained water for all-year-round farming in beneficiary communities.
“On average, GH₵670,000 of Ghana’s oil money was spent on each 1V1D project. This gave a total amount of GH₵381,900,000.00 and that consultancy fee, which was 10% of the contract sum, stood at GH₵38,190,000.00”.
Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA)
Lack of Transparency and Disregard for Due-Diligence
In separate petitions addressed to the Auditor-General and the Speaker of Parliament, NORPRA expressed its frustration over the lack of transparency and the apparent disregard for due diligence.
The organization highlighted that despite the promise of a value-for-money audit on these projects, as indicated in the 2018 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government, no such audit report has been made available to the public.
Furthermore, NORPRA criticized the Special Development Initiative Secretariat and the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) for their failure to provide the information requested through a Right to Information (RTI) request.
This lack of cooperation according to the group further fuels suspicions of mismanagement and a lack of accountability in the administration of the projects.
In their plea to the Auditor-General, NORPRA urged the immediate conduct of a thorough audit to ensure that public funds are being used effectively and efficiently.
The petition emphasized the critical need for transparency, particularly given the substantial investments made using the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) from the country’s oil revenues.
In its petition to the Speaker of Parliament, NORPRA made specific demands aimed at enhancing oversight and accountability, including a call for a detailed value-for-money audit to assess the transparency and accountability of the funds allocated for the 1V1D projects.
The group also urged the Speaker to summon the Special Development Initiative Secretariat and the Northern Development Authority (NDA) to appear before Parliament to respond to questions regarding the expenditure and performance of the 1V1D initiative.
NORPRA further recommended a parliamentary field trip to various project sites to verify the status of the dams and to gain a firsthand understanding of the project’s impact on local communities.
Additionally, NORPRA raised alarms about the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam project, citing reports of approximately US$12 million being paid for what it believes is “little to no work done”.
The petition highlighted a recent revelation regarding the payment of US$11 million purportedly for works executed on the dam, which has further intensified its concerns.
“We the citizens in the area have not seen any sign of development on the site. We, therefore, wish to equally implore you to demand explanations from the Executive on the expenditure of the said US$11 million on the Pwalugu Multi-purpose Dam”.
Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA)
From the foregoing, it is worthy to note that the organization’s call for accountability is not just a critique but a necessary step towards ensuring good governance and the responsible use of public funds.
By demanding answers and urging swift action from both the Speaker of Parliament and the Auditor-General, NORPRA is championing the cause of transparency and accountability that is vital for the trust and development of the nation.
The call for audits, inquiries, and on-site inspections are steps in the right direction to safeguard public interest and ensure that the substantial investments made towards these projects yield the intended socio-economic benefits.
It is therefore imperative that the Speaker of Parliament and the Auditor-General act swiftly on these demands to uphold the principles of accountability and good governance, which are the bedrock of any progressive society.
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