Power Minister owes us explanations over stinking Ameri deal – Sir John

Isaac Yeboah Dec - 16 - 2015 , 09:18

The former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie is demanding explanations from Power Minister, Kwabena Donkor, why Ghanaians should pay more than is necessary in procuring power plants.

He said the government of Ghana’s $593 million power deal with the Ameri Group stinks and cannot be glossed over.

There have been suggestions Ghana could be paying about $290 million in excess of the contract, a claim rubbished by the government as lacking basis.

But Owusu Afriyie, otherwise called Sir John said the last time he heard from the Power Minister, the latter had insisted he was not going to talk because he had issued a press statement to explain an issue.

But Sir John said on Citi FM Tuesday that this time round, the need for Kwabena Donkor to tell the good people of Ghana how much they are actually paying for the power plants has no room for arrogance.

The country has been embroiled in bitter accusations and counter accusations over the propriety or otherwise of the acquisition following a publication by a Norwegian newspaper suggesting Ghana was being shortchanged in the deal.

“I think it is scandalous. The Minister for Power owes Ghanaians an explanation as to why something that could have cost Ghanaians, if we were to purchase it outright, about $220 million should eventually balloon to $510 million, about 290 million out there, put in. He owes us an explanation, the last time I heard from him he said he was not prepared to talk to Ghanaians because of that arrogant posture. Because he had issued a statement and that suffices. I beg to differ. He must come and explain. Let them look him in the eye and let him lie to the people of this country. Because look, we cannot, for our lives, have a deal that stinks like that.”

Play the audio to listen to the fuller conversation