Manasseh Azure Awuni defends exposé’s as EOCO arrests Weija Hospital contractor over procurement fraud

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Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has welcomed the arrest of a contractor linked to the Weija Children’s Hospital procurement scandal, saying the development finally vindicates his years of reporting on inflated government contracts—and serves as a warning to businesses that “serve as conduits for stealing public funds.”

The contractor responsible for procuring medical equipment for the 120-bed specialist paediatric facility was picked up by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Friday, July 10, 20following a meeting with Health Minister Kwabe Mintah Akandoh. The arrest came after the World Bank flagged what it described as “misprocurement” in the acquisition of equipment for the World Bank-funded project, with some medical equipment costs allegedly inflated by as much as 11 times their actual market value.

Contractor Arrested Over Procurement Irregularities

Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed the arrest, stating that state authorities suspect wrongdoing in the procurement of medical equipment for the facility.

“Indeed, the World Bank itself has raised the issue. They labelled it as misprocurement. They say that specific items intended for use in that hospital were bought at prices that were highly inflated and far above their market value,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu told Joy FM’s Top Story.

He noted that the findings have raised suspicions of possible corruption and other procurement-related offences, making it necessary for state investigative bodies to intervene.

The contractor’s arrest follows a meeting where government officials pressed for the handover of the hospital, which has remained unused for more than two years despite being structurally completed. The contractor reportedly declined, insisting the facility would only be handed over after outstanding payments were settled.

Awuni: “Finally, People Will Know This Is Wrong”

In a social media post reacting to the arrest, Manasseh Azure Awuni said the development validates his long-standing crusade against procurement fraud in Ghana.

“FINALLY, people will know that this is wrong and stop attacking me when I expose similar cases of corruption,” he wrote.

The award-winning investigative journalist pointed to his previous reporting on the Jospong Group—parent company of Zoomlion Ghana Limited—where he uncovered what he described as a staggering $14 million inflation on waste bin liners.

“I once reported, with unimpeachable evidence, that the Jospong Group quoted $14 MILLION for waste bin liners that the same company was selling for $200k. Yes, $200k worth of goods inflated to $14 MILLION,” Awuni stated.

The $74 Million Waste Bin Scandal

Awuni’s investigation into the matter, published on his Facebook page, identified three prominent individuals allegedly involved in the $74 million waste bin procurement scandal: former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, former Local Government Minister Collins Dauda, and business magnate Joseph Siaw Agyepong, who chairs the Jospong Group.

The procurement arrangement, which dated back to 2016, involved the supply of one million household waste bins and 900,000 disposable liners. The cost breakdown reportedly included $60 million for the bins and over $14 million for the liners—amounting to roughly $15.60 per liner.

Awuni revealed that the five companies selected for the job were all subsidiaries of the Jospong Group, with some having no capacity to manufacture plastic products, while leading plastic producers in Ghana were excluded.

Following his investigation, the contract was ultimately revoked. At the time of cancellation, no waste bins had been delivered and no payments had been made.

“Businesses That Serve as Conduits for Stealing Public Funds”

Awuni recalled the backlash he faced when his report implicated Zoomlion and the Jospong Group.

“I have always been told that businesses are out to make a profit and that no one can blame them for the prices they quote. In fact, the report I published spotlighted the business and the government officials who awarded that fraudulent contract, but once Zoomlion and the Jospong Group became involved, even some people in my media house turned on me,” he wrote.

He went on to issue a stern warning: “Businesses that serve as conduits for stealing public funds should know that they can be held accountable, together with their enablers in government.”

A Pattern of Controversial Contracts

Awuni’s investigation into the Jospong Group’s government contracts is not isolated. In April 2025, he revealed that Ghana lost more than GH¢200 million in a series of sanitation contracts awarded to companies under the Jospong Group.

His findings showed that on June 9, 2015, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development requested the release of over GH¢98 million for a Sanitation Improvement Programme—but all 11 companies handpicked for the contract were subsidiaries of the Jospong Group. Among them was Meridian Waste Management Services, which records show was not even registered at the time the contract was awarded; official registration only occurred three months later.

Despite overwhelming evidence compiled in a comprehensive police docket, including financial and photographic analysis, no prosecutions followed, and the funds were not recovered.

Government Defends Arrest

The government has defended the arrest, with Mr Kwakye Ofosu stating that the contractor’s detention marks the beginning of the investigative process.

“State officials have commenced investigations by initially arresting the contractor, who is the person responsible for the procurement, for questioning so that they may determine what explanations there may be and how to proceed with the investigations,” he said.

However, the arrest has drawn criticism from some quarters. Former Deputy Minister for Health, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, described the move as counterproductive, arguing that dialogue rather than law enforcement should have been used to address the contractual impasse.

“If you call the contractor into a meeting, giving him the impression that you are going to resolve the impasse, and then cause his arrest, I don’t think that is the right way to solve the problem,” he said.

Awuni’s Broader Crusade

Awuni, who has built a career investigating corporate wrongdoing and governmental inefficiencies, has consistently called for accountability in public procurement. He has previously petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to terminate the long-standing contract between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Zoomlion, and has declared his readiness to defend his claims in court.

“Protecting local companies should not mean supporting fraud,” he has said.

The Jospong Group and Zoomlion Ghana Limited have consistently denied allegations of corruption.

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The Weija Children’s Hospital, a 120-bed specialist paediatric facility in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality, was built to expand access to paediatric healthcare and ease pressure on major referral centres, including the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital. It has remained non-operational for more than two years amid procurement disputes and unresolved contractual issues.