The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has formally charged the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Paul Adom-Otchere, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged procurement irregularities. Alongside Mr. Adom-Otchere, two other individuals—Otchere Kwame Baffour Awuah, Group Executive for Commercial Services at GACL, and Albert Adjetey Adjei-Laryea, CEO of Devnest Systems—have also been charged.

Bail Conditions Unmet

Although Mr. Adom-Otchere has been granted bail, he remains in custody due to his inability to satisfy the terms. The OSP has stipulated that he must provide two landed properties registered in his name. However, he has reportedly informed the authorities that he does not own any landed property in Ghana, leaving him unable to comply.

The Allegations

The case revolves around a revenue assurance contract signed between GACL and a private firm linked to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML). According to preliminary findings, the contract was allegedly awarded through sole sourcing and to a company not approved by the GACL Board—a potential breach of procurement regulations.

The OSP is investigating whether this contract, and the process that led to its signing, violated the Public Procurement Act and other legal frameworks governing public financial management.

Broader Implications

This case is part of a broader crackdown by the OSP on corruption and financial mismanagement in state institutions. It highlights ongoing concerns about transparency in public procurement, particularly when large-scale contracts are awarded without competitive bidding.

As the investigation unfolds, many eyes will be on the OSP and how this high-profile case is handled—particularly given Mr. Adom-Otchere’s public profile and previous influence in media and governance circles.