Franklin Cudjoe Praises Mahama’s CSO Dialogue, Urges Comprehensive Procurement Reforms
Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President of IMANI Africa, has commended President John Mahama’s recent engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), describing it as one of the most impactful stakeholder dialogues in recent years, while raising fresh concerns over procurement practices and political interference in key sectors of the economy.
In a post-event reflection following the March 30, 2026 engagement, Mr Cudjoe noted that the forum provided a rare platform for inclusive participation, particularly highlighting contributions from participants outside Accra, including women who raised critical issues spanning health, education, illegal mining, and harmful cultural practices.
He, however, underscored procurement irregularities as a major concern, referencing findings from The Fourth Estate which flagged the extensive use of sole sourcing under the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme.
“The President’s acknowledgement of these concerns was both bold and necessary,” Mr Cudjoe noted, citing President Mahama’s position that although sole sourcing remains legal under certain conditions, competitive and transparent tendering processes are preferable to ensure value for money.
According to Mr Cudjoe, a joint analysis by IMANI Africa and the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) of approximately 1,000 contracts over a nine-year period revealed that about 95% failed to meet basic procurement standards, reinforcing the need for systemic reforms.
He welcomed the President’s directive for an inquiry into the matter and a commitment to prioritise competitive bidding processes, but urged a broader, structural overhaul of procurement systems across the public sector.
Mr Cudjoe further drew attention to what he described as growing political interference in Ghana’s insurance industry, warning that such practices risk undermining market confidence and regulatory integrity.
Citing recent remarks by business leader Sir Sam Jonah, he noted concerns over an emerging pattern where insurance contracts particularly those involving state entities, are being reassigned based on political considerations rather than merit.
In a formal petition submitted to the President, Mr Cudjoe highlighted several troubling trends within the insurance sector, including reduced participation of non-state insurers in major placements, perceptions of predetermined procurement outcomes, and increasing complaints from market players over fairness and transparency.
He argued that these developments suggest a shift from policy guidance to operational interference, with potential implications for competition and investor confidence.
Mr Cudjoe also referenced a similar intervention by President Mahama in 2014, when concerns were raised over the allocation of state insurance business, noting that the recurrence of such issues points to deeper structural challenges within the procurement framework.
He expressed confidence in the President’s willingness to act decisively, stating that the current administration has both the precedent and institutional memory to restore transparency and accountability in public procurement processes.
