Tommy Amematekpor, Kofi Dzamesi, Kenwuud Nuworsu Deeply Involved Three executive members of the NPP in the Keta constituency have cited Presidential Advisor, Tommy Amematekpor, Volta Regional Minister, Kofi Dzamesi, and Volta Regional NPP Chairman, Kenwuud Nuworsu in a petition a web of corruption and malfeasance that they allege is going on in award of contracts in the Volta region.

The allegation was contained in a petition that the three co-signed and submitted the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice.

The petitioners, Messrs Emmanuel Ashiagbr, Adjorlolo Prince Shelter, and Moses Mishiwo, also implicated the Keta District Chief Executive, Edward Kofi Ahiabor, in the web of corruption allegedly being spawned by the NPP bigwigs.

The petitioners also pointed out the Chairman of the Keta District Development Planning Committee, Mr. Makafui Woanya, used his position to influence award of contracts to his company and a company belonging to his wife’s cousin. Makafui Woanya, a staunch Tommy Amematekpor ally, was also accused of making himself into a “senior prefect in the award of contracts”, and that “no one gets a contract without his prior approval.”

According to the petitioners, notwithstanding the shoddy jobs that Makafui Woanya’s and his company do, the powers that be in the Volta region, who were referred to as “regional level”, ensure that he continues to get contracts even when the District engineers refuse to issue award letters to him. But in his response to the allegations made by the petitioners, Mr. Makafui Woanya denied all the allegations.

He writes, “I refer to your letter No. CHRAJ/494/2006/999 dated 12lh March 2007. I hereby send my comments as set out hereunder.

I am the Assemblyman for the Lashibi Electoral Area and the Chairman of the Keta District Assembly Development Planning Committee, it is not true that contracts are awarded to my company or me from "regional level" for execution in the Keta District. It goes without saying that all the speculations that are based on the said false assumption are totally untrue.

From 2001 less than 10 contracts, have been awarded my company. The details are given herein under.

December 2002:- 10 Seater WC toilet under HIPC fund at Woe; 3rd March 2004:- Conversion of 20 Seater Aqua Privy Toilet at Anloga market; November 2004:- 3 Unit Classroom Block at Anloga E.P. HIPC fund; 1st December 2005:- Rehabilitation of District Engineer's Bungalow at Keta District Assembly -Common Fund; 10th August 2006:- Rehabilitation of 5 Unit Classroom Donorgbor Basic School; 18th September 2006:- Ware house - Anloga market; 10th November 2006:- Poly tank stand, and Rehabilitation of 5 Unit Classroom at Anloga under Community-Based Rural Development Project; 22nd December 2006:- Completion of 2 Storey Administration Block KETABUSCO.

AESL:- The allegations against AESL are fatee. AESL are government consultants on government projects, it is not possible for me to control them in their professional work as consultants to the'governrnent of Ghana.

Mr Atsu Kpewu refused unjustifiably to sign a cheque, which was issued in payment to my company for work done. Atsu Kpewu had earlier demanded some money from my company as a condition for signing the cheque. Several other companies and individuals had one problem or the other with Atsu Kpewu. He was later transferred to Adidome District Assembly after the Keta District Assembly had resolved to ask for his removal from the Keta District Assembly.

Contracts in Electoral Area:- It is true that my company performed two contracts in my electoral. There is f however no law against that. It should be emphasised that the projects lie within my electoral area but they are not contracts or projects which the electoral area itself is undertaking. They are contracts or projects belonging to the Keta District Assembly.

I must further emphasise that my company was not awarded contracts by virtue of the fact that I am an Assembly member or Chairman of Anloga Urban Council. The only project that is being undertaken for Anloga Urban Council is the Town Hall Project, which is being executed as a self-help project by the people of . Anloga. It has not been awarded to any contractor.

Contracts through various Companies:- i) Selasaid is not a company but a sole proprietorship. It is the business name of SELASI AGBENYO of Akatsi, who is my wife's cousin. Selasaid won one contract in about 2005 and no more. ii] Antrppas is the business name adopted by my wife. The business name is not registered with the District Assembly as a construction firm, if has never won any contract.

iii) Johnmakol is my company. It is the company which executed the contracts set out above.

Contracts in specific names: Mr Tommy Amematekpor, hon. Kofi Dzamesi and Mr Ken wood Nuworsu N.P.P Volta Regional Chairman. There is no-truth in the above allegation. Every contract is awarded through tender and tenders are opened in the presence of interested bidders.

Contacts with Contractors:- I do no: in contact with other contractors for any reason. I do not award contracts and no one makes or gives kick backs to me nor do I expect any from tiny contractor.”

However in a strident riposte to Makafui Woanya’s denial, the three petitioners reiterated their assertions and provided further details. Lookout for these interesting details in subsequent editions of this paper.