Communications Minister Haruna Iddrisu has cautioned all agencies and departments under the ministry to stop the practice of sole-sourcing in the award of contracts. He said President J.E.A. Mills is not happy with the practice and all entities must stop it with immediate effect. According to Mr. Iddrisu, the practice does not give Ghana value for money in the execution of contracts. The opposition New Patriotic Party has on a number of occasions accused the government of resorting to mainly sole-sourcing in the award of contracts as part of the government’s agenda of sharing government contracts amongst its cronies. The NPP cited the Dansoman road which it claimed was given under a certificate of urgency when in fact months after the award of the contract no work had been done. They said the ruling National Democratic Congress is appropriating a provision in the law that allows the authorities to, instead of opening competitive tender for contracts for government jobs, give such contracts to selected contractors or suppliers. A member of the NPP’s communication team, Mr Kwabena Sarpong, speaking on Multi TV’s Minority Caucus claimed over 90 per cent of contracts executed under the NDC government was all awarded through sole-sourcing. Addressing journalists Monday, the Communication Minister said the president was not happy with the situation and wanted all government entities to award contracts in accordance with the procurement laws of the country to ensure that the nation gets value for money in all projects it executes. “Let me again take this opportunity to encourage all entities under the Ministry of Communication – that his Excellency the President is not too happy with the abuse of the use of sole-sourcing, it does not provide for value for money and therefore under the law – you must respect and provide for competitive tendering process,” he stated. He said measures were underway to introduce e-procurement, “allowing for e-sourcing, e-tendering and e-purchasing.”