Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has called on the Minister of Communications, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, to provide concrete evidence supporting claims that telecommunications companies have withheld revenues owed to the state.
He specifically urged the Minister to make public at least one report that substantiates these allegations, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in such serious accusations.
“I noticed that the company ( KELNIGVG you [Ursula Owusu] forced on us to check the so-called revenue theft has received close to $126m ( A little over GHS 2bn) for no work done.
“This is based on your agreement to pay KelniGVG $1.5 m a month from 2018 until 2028!”
Franklin Cudjoe
Cudjoe further urged the Communications Minister to avoid sensationalizing what he described as a straightforward issue.
He called on her to focus on providing clear guidance on how the alleged stolen revenues could be recovered.
Only after this has been done, Franklin Cudjoe suggested, should there be any consideration of the Minister’s proposal for solitary confinement, if such a measure is deemed necessary.
Meanwhile, Selorm Branttie, Vice President of IMANI Africa, added to Franklin Cudjoe’s call for accountability by urging Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful to make available all records related to the SIM re-registration exercise.
He specifically requested detailed information on the registration process, including the financial transactions involved and the payments made to the company responsible for executing the exercise.
Branttie emphasized that these records should be made accessible for public scrutiny to ensure transparency and proper oversight.
Branttie Demands Clarity on Biometric Data, 5G Deals
Furthermore, Selorm Branttie demanded clarity on the handling of the biometric data collected during the SIM re-registration exercise overseen by the Communications Ministry.
He called on Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful to disclose how the data was managed, including details on its storage, security measures, and the chain of custody.
Branttie emphasized the importance of safeguarding citizens’ sensitive information, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the management of biometric data to prevent misuse or breaches of privacy.
“[Provide] An audit of all companies and intermediaries that were part of the 5G activity. How much tax KelniGVG paid for all their activity and a clear value for money report of thr investment”
Selorm Branttie
He further called on Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful to disclose all transactions and engagements involving Vokacom in relation to the GhanaPost GPS app.
Branttie also demanded a comprehensive list of all procurements approved under her tenure, along with the corresponding procurement data.
This, he argued, would promote transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, ensuring that due process was followed in the awarding of contracts and procurement of services.
Such disclosure, he emphasized, is essential for public trust and oversight.
Branttie further issued a caution to Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, advising her to consider securing legal counsel in anticipation of having to respond to a multitude of questions.
He implied that the volume and nature of the inquiries would require thorough and well-prepared answers, particularly given the gravity of the issues related to transparency, data privacy, and procurement.
He underscored the seriousness of the concerns raised and the potential legal implications that might arise from the minister’s handling of these matters. “Luckily there’s no clearing agent in charge now”.
Echoing Franklin Cudjoe’s sentiments, Selorm Branttie emphasized the need for what he described as an “Operation Recover All Loots” (ORAL) initiative, aligning with a promise made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to recover misappropriated public funds.
He argued that the submissions and disclosures from Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful would play a crucial role in advancing this effort.
Branttie highlighted that such transparency would not only support the broader agenda of financial accountability but also set a precedent for how public officials manage state resources and uphold ethical governance.
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