, Prof. Emeritus Stephen Adei,){kind=link}
An Economist, Administrator, and Writer who is a former Director General and Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration(GIMPA), Prof. Emeritus Stephen Adei, has stated that he never awarded a contract to anyone, not even his children when he was Chairman at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
This was contained in a statement by the professor in response to his critics.
According to Prof. Emeritus Stephen Adei, since he made a statement regarding corruption by public officials, and the let-down of hope of Ghanaians regarding H.E Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, he has been attacked by persons he believes are agents of the present administration and are parading as journalists.
He complained that there have been calculated lies and misinformation directed at tarnishing his credibility and integrity saying if not addressed, these lies could pass as truth by the unsuspecting public.
He clarified that he has never been a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the National Democratic Congress (NDC), adding that all the appointments given to him by these governments were based on his qualifications and not affiliations.
Again, he said he never lobbied for any of the appointments given to him by the two administrations.
“First, I have never joined any political party in my life. Thus, I am not a member of the New Patriotic Party or the National Democratic Congress or any other party. Neither have I ever lobbied for any position within any administration. In the same vein, neither have I refused to serve my country when called upon and I think I have the requisite capacity to do so.
Prof. Emeritus Stephen Adei also denied awarding contracts to his son as alleged by his attacker, saying he is against using public office for private gains because it is also a form of corruption.
“I never awarded a contract to anybody when I was Chairman of GRA, let alone to my son. I have two sons. One works in a medical facility in Australia, and one is an Executive Director of a school. I don’t have any other son out of wedlock to have awarded a contract. In any case, I am hearing for the first time that in Ghana chairman of public boards can award contracts to their children, which definitely could be happening on our blind side for such an allegation to be contemplated.”
He continued,”GRA never bought a four-wheel drive vehicle for me as it is being alleged. Neither did I leave the office of Chairman even with a bicycle tire. Rather the Board I chaired sought unsuccessfully to end the naked thievery of vehicles and goods by the political elite through the so-called “auction” system which might have offended many. We tried to end awards of contracts to foreigners where Ghanaians had better capacity. We made sure that Commissioners would not sign contracts on our blind side as allegedly has resurfaced. We ended a system of promotion by “whom you know” and ensured that competent people got promoted irrespective of alleged party affiliation, etc. We also aimed to raise revenue to GDP ratio to 17.5% and the record of our 15 months in the “lions’ den” is there to show it could be done. If these are offences, we are proud of them.”
Below is a statement:
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori