OccupyGhana writes to Bank of Ghana over Sibton Switch and GhIPPS contracts 

 

Pressure group, OccupyGhana, has formally written to the Bank of Ghana, requesting for copies of contract documents and agreements between the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and Sibton Switch Systems Limited in relation to the Mobile Money Interoperability contract abrogated by the current Government of Ghana.

Vice President Bawumia launched the first mobile money payments interoperability system in Ghana on Thursday 10th May 2018.

The system is expected to largely eliminate the difficulties associated with traditional banking services, and make banking services more accessible to the large unbanked population, estimated to be about 70%.

However, the two major political parties are accusing each other of securing a bad deal for the country.  

The ruling government told the press Tuesday that, it saved the country a little over $900 million after renegotiating the said contract.

Deputy Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah explained that the $1.2 billion which was the cost of executing the mobile interoperability platform during the Mahama administration, was 267 times more than the cost his government spent on the same project.

However, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson P. Asiama told the press on Monday that the said contract was not bloated as being alleged and accused the government of dragging his name in the mud.

“It is politicians taking over an issue which should be in the domain of the Central Bank. Politicians, back off this issue. There is no criminality. There is no role of government. “Under the original contract, there was no government involvement. It was the Central Bank in a commercial transaction with a client. If they have a problem, they have lawyers, they have professionals.”

But OccupyGhana, in a statement,  requested for documents covering the two contracts and legal opinion sought by the Central Bank

Below is the full statement:

May 16, 2018
Our Ref: OG/2018/009
The Governor, 
Bank of Ghana, 
High Street, 
Accra.

Dear Sir,

REQUEST FOR COPIES OF ALL SIBTON SWITCH AND GHIPPS CONTRACT DOCUMENTS

OccupyGhana® respectfully writes to formally request for copies of contract documents and agreements between the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and Sibton Switch Systems Limited in relation to the Mobile Money Interoperability contract abrogated by the current Government of Ghana. We specifically require documents relating to and surrounding the termination of the Sibton Contract.

We, additionally, request to be furnished with all relevant documents pertaining to the new contract signed with the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS) to execute the Mobile Money Interoperability project.

We further request to be furnished with all related tender documents and legal opinions obtained by you in relation to the above-mentioned contracts between you and the two contractors (Sibton Switch and GhIPSS).

We count on you to furnish us with the requested contract and tender documents no more than 14 calendar days after the date of issuance of this letter.
We would appreciate it if your good office considers our request under the enshrined citizens’ Right to Information under Article 21 of the 1992 Ghana Constitution.

Yours faithfully,
D. Kwaku Segbefia, 
For OccupyGhana®
CC:

1. Office of the Vice President Jubilee House
Accra.

2. The Minister
Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning, Ministries, Accra.

3. The Chief of Staff 
Office of the President 
Jubilee House
Accra

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Isaac Nuamah Yeboah


 

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