CHRAJ Orders Adom-Otchere To Stay away from GACL Administration

The Board Chairman of the Ghana Airport Company Ltd (GACL), Paul Adom-Otchere, has been instructed to stay away from involving himself in the daily operations of the company, as per a directive from the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

The order, dated October 30, 2023, also emphasized that Adom-Otchere should leave the administrative responsibilities to the GACL management.

The investigation revealed that the actual value of the Christmas decorations was GH¢128,000, differing from the initially alleged GH¢118,000 by Adom-Otchere. The CHRAJ report stated that Adom-Otchere abused his office by meddling in the procurement process of Christmas decorations, contrary to principles of corporate governance.

Key findings highlighted instances where Adom-Otchere interfered in the procurement process and communicated in the media about the Christmas decorations. The report also pointed out that GACL had been renting Christmas decorations since 2018 without adhering to the Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as amended.

The CHRAJ instructed Adom-Otchere to abstain from commenting on GACL procurement matters in the media and ordered GACL to comply with the provisions of Act 663 when renting decorations. These directives resulted from a petition filed by Sacut Amenga-Etego, alleging procurement breaches and abuse of office against Adom-Otchere in the 2021 GACL Christmas decorations’ procurement.

Regarding the petitioner’s requests for a surcharge and recommendations for Adom-Otchere’s removal, the CHRAJ report didn’t find substantial evidence to support these claims. Additionally, it stated that no criminal offense was observed in Adom-Otchere’s actions.

The CHRAJ decision concluded with directives for GACL to strictly follow the Public Procurement Act, Adom-Otchere to refrain from interference and media comments regarding GACL procurement, and suggested amendments to Act 663.