Sole-sourcing: Mahama has reneged on his promise to amend Public Procurement Act – Tonto

Kofi Tonto, a National Communications Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has criticized President John Dramani Mahama for allegedly failing to fulfill his pledge to reform Ghana’s public procurement system, despite the President’s recent announcement to amend the Public Procurement Act.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile program on Saturday, Tonto accused the President of reneging on his commitment to limit sole sourcing to rare and exceptional circumstances. “President Mahama has reneged on his promise that he is going to amend the Public Procurement Act. He is going to make decisions to make sole sourcing a rare exception. And that is why I find it very laughable that today the President is saying, oh, I have seen the documents. I want to ask for it and investigate. Investigate what?” he questioned.

Tonto emphasized that actions speak louder than words, noting that calls for further investigations into government contracts are insufficient. He highlighted that Roads Minister Kwame Agbodza had already provided detailed explanations regarding the contracts in Parliament.

The NPP official also challenged claims that sole-sourced contracts were awarded due to urgency. He noted that of 54 contracts awarded through single sourcing, only one was signed before August 2025, while several others were approved as recently as January 2026. “If urgency was the reason, why are contracts still being signed months later? Your own timeline contradicts your claim,” he added.

President Mahama recently addressed Civil Society Organisations at Jubilee House, stating that his administration plans to amend the Public Procurement Act to restrict single sourcing. He described single sourcing as a tool to be used “as sparingly as possible” and promised to consult civil society organizations in drafting the new legislation. These reforms are intended to promote greater transparency and ensure value for money on state-funded projects.

The remarks come in the wake of a report by The Fourth Estate, which raised concerns over the extensive use of sole sourcing under the current government’s Big Push program. According to the publication, 81 contracts valued at more than GHS 73 billion were awarded via sole sourcing over a seven-month period, prompting scrutiny over potential cost inflation and lack of competitive bidding.

The controversy underscores growing political tensions over public procurement in Ghana and raises questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in handling state contracts.