Minority Raises Red Flag Over Ghc 1.2 Billion Tablet Supply Contract

The Chief Whip of the Minority National Democratic (NDC) caucus in Ghana’s Parliament, Kwame Governs Agbodza has cried foul about the extension of a contract by the education ministry for the supply of tablets valued at Ghc 1.2 billion to schools.

Mr Agbodza who is Member for Adaklu stated that the amount involved is colossal and can be used for other useful purposes for the country.

“…And we think that the expenditure of GH₵1.2billion is a huge amount that can do something for this country.

“Parliament is going to institute the necessary motions to call for a probe into these acts of the supply of the tablets which details are shrouded or known to only the Education Minister and the government because this is not the best way to run a transparent government,” Hon Agbodza said in an interview.

The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, during his address at the opening of the 2023 Annual New Year School and Conference (ANYSC) on January 17, 2023, at the University of Ghana, Legon, announced that the government will distribute free electronic tablets to all Senior High Schools this year.

According to him, the initiative, together with the implementation of free WI-FI at SHSs across the country, was part of the government’s ongoing digitisation agenda.

He said the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, had informed him that the country was on course to provide the tablets which will come pre-loaded with textbooks and past examination questions.

“This year, we are on course to provide all Senior High School students in Ghana with tablets that are loaded with textbooks on them for their studies. That’s a very game-changing development. We will have past questions preloaded on these tablets that will be distributed to all and I pray that it does come to pass this year…,” Dr Bawumia said