Blame the 'higher authorities' for looming judgement debt - John Jinapor

He questioned why the Akufo-Addo government didn’t pursue dialogue before cancelling the deals with companies currently suing the country

Blame the 'higher authorities' for looming judgement debt - John Jinapor
John Jinapor

A former deputy Power Minister, John Jinapor, says someone above the ministers of Roads, Finance or National Security should be blamed for the possible judgement debt over the Accra Intelligent Traffic Management contract.

Mr Jinapor did not mention names but he said "a higher authority than these ministers should take ultimate responsibility"

This comes after management of the Beijing Everyway Traffic and Lighting Technology Company Limited  dragged Ghana to the London court of international arbitration, following the cancellation of the Accra Intelligent Traffic Management contract which was earlier awarded to the company.

The company was contracted in 2018 to implement the project worth $100 million after Parliament’s approval.

But in November 2020, the Bill was re-laid before Parliament with a contract agreement between Ghana, Huawei Technologies Company Limited and the China National Import and Export Corporation.

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Though the case has not been resolved, Mr. Jinapor does not think Ghana will come out successful.

“I wish Ghana all the best but clearly if you look at what transpired, we should prepare for another massive one.” as quoted by Citinewsroom.

He also commented on the $134 million judgement debt Ghana was slapped with over the cancellation of its Emergency Power Agreement with GCGP Limited.

The International Court of Arbitration in its ruling on the matter also said the judgement debt came with a $30 million interest payment obligation.

Mr. Jinapor lamented the inability of the government to exercise restraint on these deals.

He questioned why the government didn’t pursue dialogue before cancelling the respective deals.