OSP Report Alleges Ken Ofori-Atta “Unlawfully Padded” Payments in BXC Contract Termination

Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has once again set the nation abuzz with a damning revelation. According to its July 2025 half-year report, former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is alleged to have unlawfully padded up approved payments related to the termination of a major electricity project contract.

The report highlights irregularities in the Distribution, Loss Reduction, and Associated Network Improvement Project contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Beijing Xiao Cheng Technology (BXC).

 Background of the Contract

The project, originally awarded to BXC, was aimed at reducing electricity distribution losses and improving Ghana’s power infrastructure. However, the deal was abruptly terminated under controversial circumstances.

The OSP report alleges that during the contract termination process, payment approvals were inflated beyond lawful limits, creating financial concerns for the state.

 Key Allegations

• Unlawful Padding of Payments: The OSP claims that Ken Ofori-Atta authorized payments that exceeded the approved settlement amounts.
• Impact on ECG & Ghana’s Economy: The alleged unlawful payments added unnecessary financial strain to ECG and, by extension, the public purse.
• Breach of Due Process: The report suggests there was no clear legal basis for the excess approvals, raising suspicions of misconduct.

 Reactions and Implications

The allegations have sparked a fresh wave of debate in Ghana’s political and legal circles:

• Public Concerns: Many Ghanaians are questioning how such a high-profile financial irregularity could occur during a period of economic hardship.
• Political Fallout: Critics argue that the OSP’s findings reflect deeper issues of accountability in government, especially in the energy and finance sectors.
• Legal Path Forward: The big question now is whether the OSP will press formal charges against Ofori-Atta or pursue recovery of the alleged unlawful payments.

 What This Means for Governance in Ghana

This report underscores the importance of financial transparency and institutional accountability. Energy contracts have historically been prone to controversies in Ghana, and this case reaffirms calls for stronger oversight of public sector agreements.

If proven true, the allegations could mark one of the most significant corruption-related scandals linked to a high-ranking former finance minister.

 Conclusion

The OSP’s revelation on Ken Ofori-Atta and the ECG-BXC contract termination has opened yet another chapter in Ghana’s anti-corruption fight. With the report now in the public domain, all eyes are on the Special Prosecutor’s next steps — whether this will end in prosecution, recovery, or political impasse.

For now, the Ghanaian public waits as the drama surrounding energy contracts and financial accountability continues to unfold.

What do you think? Should Ken Ofori-Atta face legal action over the alleged “unlawful padding” of payments? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Source: Office of the Special Prosecutor (Half-Year Report – July 2025)

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