- Mahama warns Komenda Sugar Factory buyer against non-transparent deals.
- He expresses concerns about secrecy surrounding the transaction.
- Non-transparent deals won't be honored if NDC returns to power.
- Mahama calls for open and fair process to select investor.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, the 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a stern warning to the prospective buyer of the Komenda Sugar Factory. Mahama cautioned the investor against engaging in any non-transparent deals with the incumbent government, citing concerns about the secrecy surrounding the transaction.
The Minister for Trade and Industry, K.T. Hammond, had announced the government’s decision to lease the factory to West African Agro Limited, an India-based firm, for 15 to 20 years. Mahama expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the deal, emphasizing that the Komenda Sugar Factory is a national asset that requires an open and fair process.
He warned the investor that any deal made without transparency would not be honored if the NDC returns to power. Mahama called for a transparent procurement process, stating that the NDC would not cooperate with any “under the table transaction.”
The former president emphasized the need for an open and fair process to select the best investor to partner with the government in running the factory. The Komenda Sugar Factory, inaugurated by Mahama in 2016, has been plagued by challenges, including a lack of transparency in its operations.
Mahama’s warning comes as the government prepares to lease the factory to a new investor, amidst concerns about the deal’s transparency. The former president’s statement serves as a cautionary note to the investor and a reminder of the NDC’s commitment to transparency and accountability in governance.
