Former Ghana Procurement Authority Boss Awaits New Trial Amid Corruption Allegations

Agyenim Boateng Adjei, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) in Ghana, has been discharged from a corruption case but is now awaiting a new trial. The Accra High court struck out the initial case involving Adjei and his brother-in-law, Francis Kwaku Arhin, after the state withdrew the 17 counts of corruption-related charges against them.

The prosecution decided not to proceed with the case against Arhin and has filed a fresh charge sheet with only Adjei as the accused. The new case, assigned to a different court, includes eight counts of using public office for profit and indirectly influencing the procurement process to obtain an unfair advantage in the award of procurement contracts.

Adjei has pleaded not guilty to the fresh charges. The prosecution alleges that three months after being appointed as the PPA CEO in March 2017, Adjei incorporated a company called Talent Discovery Limited, in which he was a major shareholder. He then allegedly used his position on the PPA governing board to ensure his company won public bids and unlawfully altered the decision-making process to favor Talent Discovery Limited.

Why this matters: The case against Agyenim Boateng Adjei highlights the ongoing efforts to combat corruption in Ghana's public procurement sector. As a high-profile figure, the outcome of Adjei's trial could have significant implications for public trust in government institutions and the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures.

The court has granted Adjei a GH¢4 million bail with two sureties, and he has been ordered to surrender all his passports. The prosecution has been directed to file all their disclosures and serve them on the accused person and his legal team. Adjei's lawyer expressed disappointment over the delay in the trial, stating that they are "still in the soup" and will not comment further.

The case stems from a 2019 documentary by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, which allegedly implicated Adjei in abusing his authority at the PPA to favor Talent Discovery Limited in contract allocations. Following the documentary's release, Adjei was dismissed from his position as PPA CEO, and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) recommended his removal from office based on the findings presented in the documentary.

The case against Agyenim Boateng Adjei is set to continue on May 14, 2024, with the prosecution expected to file and serve their disclosures on the accused. As the <a href="https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Former-PPA-CEO-pleads-not-guilty-to-fresh-charges-granted-GH-4m-bail-1927181" target="_blank

Key Takeaways

• Former PPA CEO Agyenim Boateng Adjei discharged from initial corruption case.
• Adjei faces new trial on 8 counts of using public office for profit.
• Adjei allegedly used PPA position to favor his company in public bids.
• Adjei granted GH¢4 million bail, trial to continue on May 14, 2024.
• Case highlights efforts to combat corruption in Ghana's public procurement.