Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has warned that the newly enacted Value for Money Office Act, 2026, could become a tool for legitimising corruption in Ghana’s public procurement system rather than preventing it.

In a Facebook statement issued on Wednesday, 13 May, Mr Afenyo-Markin accused the government of establishing an institution that lacks the safeguards necessary to operate independently.

He argued that the reporting structure of the office, which places it under the supervision of the Finance Minister, undermines its credibility and effectiveness.

“A regulatory body that lacks independence cannot fight corruption in public procurement,” he stated.

“Instead, this arrangement risks creating an institution that could ultimately be used to justify and legitimise corruption in public procurement under the cover of regulatory approval.”

The Minority Leader compared Ghana’s new legislation with value-for-money institutions in other jurisdictions, which he said are protected by strong legal safeguards that guarantee operational independence, appointments, and oversight authority.

According to him, such protections are essential for maintaining public confidence and institutional credibility.

“In other jurisdictions where Value for Money institutions exist, the laws establishing them provide clear safeguards for independence in appointments, operational mandate and oversight authority. That is what gives such institutions credibility and public trust,” he noted.

Mr Afenyo-Markin further accused the government of prioritising political control over meaningful anti-corruption reforms.

He argued that, instead of creating another bureaucratic structure, authorities should focus on strengthening existing institutions responsible for financial oversight and procurement compliance.

“If this NDC government truly wants to fight corruption, it would strengthen existing accountability institutions instead of creating politically controlled structures that can be manipulated to justify questionable procurements,” he stated.

He also cautioned that the law could become “the shield behind which the next generation of procurement scandals is defended and justified.”

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Afenyo-Markin warns Value for Money Office could 'legitimize' procurement problems

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