GACL–Evatex Procurement Scandal

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is investigating suspected corruption and related offences concerning the award of a revenue assurance contract by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to Evatex Limited. The contract, awarded through non-competitive sole sourcing, is alleged to have circumvented the statutory procurement process, contrary to the Public Procurement Act.

The parties of interest include GACL (as the contracting authority), Evatex Limited (the contract awardee), and Devnest (a company that appeared before the Board but was not awarded the contract). Persons under investigation include the GACL Board Chair and members of senior management. Preliminary findings suggest that the Board Chair facilitated the substitution of Devnest—with Board approval—with Evatex, a company reportedly owned by the Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), a known associate.

At the time of the award, Evatex lacked the requisite certification to provide revenue assurance services, had been dormant for several years, was registered in the mining sector, and employed only one person. The company did not appear before the Board prior to the award. The OSP is assessing the extent of procedural breaches, potential conflict of interest, and abuse of office.

Following the commencement of the investigation, GACL management has terminated the contract pending the outcome of the probe.