Manasseh Azure Challenges Paul Adom-Otchere Over Controversial Contract Claims
Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has written a pointed open letter to Paul Adom-Otchere, host of “Good Evening Ghana”, disputing claims made on the latter’s show regarding a controversial contract.
The letter comes ahead of Azure’s yet-to-be-published investigation into the deal involving the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL). Azure refutes several assertions by Adom-Otchere, accusing him of dishonesty and providing misleading information to the public.
Disputing Claims of Engagement and Transparency
Azure first addresses Adom-Otchere’s claim that the two had engaged in an exchange of questions and answers regarding the contract. While confirming that Adom-Otchere had indeed promised to respond to his queries, Azure emphasizes that the broadcaster has yet to fulfill this promise despite multiple deadlines. This delay, Azure implies, raises questions about Adom-Otchere’s willingness to provide transparency on the matter.
Contradictions on Knowledge of Contract Beneficiaries
The journalist then challenges Adom-Otchere’s on-air denial of knowing the owners of the company awarded the contract. Azure asserts that he has evidence proving Adom-Otchere admitted—twice—to being aware of the company’s owners long before the deal was finalized. Furthermore, Azure claims Adom-Otchere had met with the company’s representatives a year before they appeared before a GACL board meeting he chaired. This contradiction, Azure argues, undermines Adom-Otchere’s credibility on the issue.
Misleading Claims About Payment Structures
Adom-Otchere had claimed that the contract did not involve direct payments but rather a 15% share of incremental revenue. Azure dismisses this as misleading, drawing parallels to the controversial SML-GRA contract, where the state paid millions despite no proven recoveries or fraud detection. He highlights how such revenue assurance deals often result in unjustified payments, citing examples like Subah and SML. Azure’s rebuttal suggests that the GACL contract follows a similar dubious pattern.
Awaiting Full Investigation and Accountability
Azure concludes by stating that his upcoming investigation will expose the full extent of the scandal, implicating Adom-Otchere, the GACL Managing Director, and the Public Procurement Authority (PPA). The letter serves as both a rebuttal and a warning, signaling that more revelations are forthcoming. For now, the public is left to ponder the credibility of Adom-Otchere’s defenses and the potential ramifications of Azure’s findings.
