GHC 677K Oda Big Tree Project Funds Missing as GTDC MD’s Corruption Network Grows

A thorough investigation by The New Republic has uncovered yet another troubling case of financial mismanagement at the Ghana Tourism Development Company led by its CEO, Kwadwo Odame Antwi.

A significant amount of over six hundred and seventy-seven thousand, eight hundred and twenty-nine Ghana Cedis (GHC677,829.80) supposedly allocated for the renovation of a tourist site in the Eastern Region has disappeared without any evidence of work completed at the site.

The investigation exposes a series of questionable decisions and actions related to a contract granted to Malin Construct Limited for developing the tourism site known as the Oda Big Tree Tourism Site in Aprokumasi, Eastern Region, Ghana.

The New Republic has uncovered a contract assigned to a private entity, Malin Construct Limited, to enhance the Oda Big Tree Tourism Site in Aprokumasi, Eastern Region, for tourism purposes.

Despite the contract not being executed based on documents reviewed by this publication, funds were transferred to the company in what appears to be a dubious transaction, similar to others overseen by the management. The CEO of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) Limited, Kwadwo Odame Antwi, signed the contract worth GHC677,829.80 in March 2020 for a three-month period. Initially, there was a budget of GHC80,000 for the same project, which Mr. Antwi deemed too high.

A copy of the contract letter sent to the Managing Director (MD) of the beneficiary company stated, “The management of the Ghana Tourism Company is pleased to inform you that following your proposal for the development of the Oda Big Tree and the existing receptive facility, Malin Construct Limited has been awarded the contract for the enhancement of the Oda Big Tree and Receptive Facility at Aprokumasi.”

The contract was expected to be completed within three months from the date of site possession, facilitated by GTDC. Among other tasks, Malin Construct Limited was supposed to provide appropriate signage for the attraction and entrance gate, close the existing entrance, create a new entrance, and develop a new walking trail in the forest leading to the Big Tree, along with completing the receptive facility.

However, investigations have shown that the company did not fulfill the terms of the contract. A recent visit to the Big Tree Tourism Site in Aprokumasi revealed little to no progress.

None of the listed tasks were visible at the site, indicating a lack of accountability. A tour guide named Kwadwo Inkoom, who charges a fee of GHC20 to guide visitors around the site, does not provide receipts for the fee or for substances supposedly extracted from the tree for a fee of GHC50, claiming to have physical and spiritual benefits.

According to Kwadwo, there were plans to develop the site, but four years after the contract was awarded, no significant progress has been made. The issue concerning the Oda Big Tree development was first raised in a report presented on May 10, 2023, to the chairman of the Ghana Tourism Authority by the Finance Manager, Paul Sowah.

During a joint board meeting between the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ghana Tourism Development Company on May 4, 2023, accusations of worker sabotage were raised, leading to financial challenges at GTDC. Mr. Sowah disputed the allegations, attributing the financial struggles to poor past decisions and unrealistic demands placed on the company.

The Finance Manager revealed that when the contract was awarded, the CEO ignored advice against the decision due to doubts on recouping the investment.

The site generated less than GHC20,000 annually at that time, indicating a significant delay in recovering the funds invested.

Moreover, only a fraction of the contract sum was utilized, with essential structures such as an Event Centre, Cafeteria, Children’s Playground, Canteen, and Mini Golf Course left unfinished.