GHs1m illegally paid monthly to Adu Buahene for GWCL internet - AG

Attorney General Dominic Ayine revealed shocking details about Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL). The company illegally paid GHS1.5 million monthly to a private firm. This firm is owned by former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General Kwabena Adu Boahene.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Ayine explained how GWCL was defrauded. The total amount lost was GHS62 million through an elaborate scheme involving the former NSB director.

The scheme lasted for an undisclosed period. GWCL paid premium rates for basic internet services. These services should have been provided at no cost between the two state-owned entities.

"This criminal enterprise involved secure internet services to GWCL," Ayine stated. He noted that the Bureau of National Communications, now NSB, was involved in this arrangement.

According to the contract, GWCL was to pay BNC 650,000 Ghana cedis every two weeks. However, Adu Boahene provided his company's account details instead of BNC's account.

As a result, payments went to Bureau of National Communications owned by Adu Boahene and his wife. "Every two weeks, 650,000 Ghana cedis left GWCL's accounts," Ayine explained.

He emphasized the absurdity of this arrangement. A government agency was providing services to another government entity while charging them unnecessarily high fees.

Ghana Water spent money it did not need to spend on internet services. The monthly cost reached 1.5 million Ghana cedis by the end of investigations.

This press conference followed Adu Boahene and his wife Angela Adjei Boateng pleading not guilty in court. They face 11 corruption charges involving GHS49 million in alleged fraudulent contracts.

The Attorney General's office is expanding its investigation into these payments. More charges are expected soon against Mr. Adu Boahene and his accomplices next week.