Okudzeto Ablakwa’s RTI Probe into Frontiers Healthcare Contract”

Introduction – The Frontiers Healthcare Case

The RTI Act, enacted in Ghana in 2019, promotes transparency and accountability in governance. It has exposed controversial government dealings, including Ghana’s contract with Frontiers Healthcare Services.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, played a key role in leveraging the RTI Act to investigate the contract and demand transparency regarding the management of COVID-19 testing and treatment at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

Background of the Frontiers Healthcare Services Contract

In 2020, Ghana’s government contracted Frontiers Healthcare Services for COVID-19 testing at KIA. The goal was to curb the virus spread with mandatory tests for arriving travelers. However, questions arose about the contract’s transparency, including procurement, the company’s qualifications, and financial terms.

Citizens and civil society questioned if proper tendering procedures were followed. Public scrutiny highlighted the need for accountability

The Role of the Right to Information Act (RTI ACT 989,2019)

The RTI Act gave citizens, journalists, and advocacy groups the legal right to request information regarding the contract. This included:

• A copy of the contract between the Government of Ghana and Frontiers Healthcare.
• Details about the procurement process, including whether the contract had been awarded through competitive bidding.
• Financial records of the contract, including the total cost and payment arrangements.
• Performance reports or audits related to the healthcare services provided.

The RTI Act ensures that public institutions must respond to requests within 14 working days, and if they fail to comply, citizens have the right to seek judicial review or challenge the refusal to release the information.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s Role in the Investigation

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, known for his advocacy for transparency, was a vocal critic of the Frontiers Healthcare Services contract from the outset. As a Member of Parliament and a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education, he was well-positioned to demand answers from the government regarding the contract’s terms and execution.

Ablakwa leveraged the RTI Act to uncover details about the Frontiers Healthcare Services contract. He filed requests for documents, demanding transparency and accountability from the Ministry of Health and other agencies. His actions sparked a closer look into the deal.

Ablakwa exposed discrepancies in the contract’s terms, using RTI-obtained data to question the procurement process and the high costs of testing and treatment services. He argued that the lack of competitive bidding and inflated costs risked wasting public funds.

He also ensured the media shared the findings. Journalists used the documents to investigate further, increasing public scrutiny of the government’s dealings with Frontiers Healthcare.

The Role of the Media and Public Oversight

The RTI Act and Ablakwa’s efforts enabled the media to expose the contract’s details. News outlets reported on the deal, highlighting potential misuse of public funds. This coverage raised public awareness and pressured the government to justify the contract.

Ablakwa’s actions underscored the power of public oversight. The RTI Act empowered citizens to demand accountability, reinforcing the need for transparency, especially in matters of public health and finances.

Parliamentary Oversight and Legal Implications

Using RTI requests, Ablakwa and other MPs pushed for parliamentary inquiries into the contract, ensuring government accountability. They scrutinized whether the deal complied with Ghana’s Public Procurement Act and followed proper procedures.

The RTI findings also paved the way for legal action if laws were violated. Public outcry forced the Ministry of Health and other agencies to respond, further exposing flaws in the procurement process and contract terms.

Though no corruption was proven, the investigation revealed poor management of public funds, sparking calls for reforms to improve accountability in awarding public health contracts.

Conclusion

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s use of the RTI Act in the Frontiers Healthcare Services case highlights the need for transparency in government contracts. His actions showed how the RTI Act helps protect public resources and demand accountability, advancing good governance in Ghana.

Although the investigation found no direct evidence of corruption, it exposed inefficiencies and a lack of transparency in the procurement process. This case underscores the RTI Act’s role in holding officials accountable and calls for continued vigilance, transparency, and reforms in public sector dealings.