OSP detains Paul Adom‑Otchere and 2 others

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially charged Paul Adom‑Otchere, former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), along with two others, over a controversial revenue assurance contract awarded without competitive procurement.

Failure to meet bail conditions

According to a statement posted on the OSP’s official social media accounts on July 31, Mr. Adom‑Otchere has not yet met bail conditions requiring him to present two landed properties in Ghana registered in his name.
He has informed the authorities that he does not own any landed property locally, and thus remains in custody until the conditions are met.

Two others formally charged

The two other individuals charged alongside Adom‑Otchere are:

• Otchere Kwame Baffour Awuah, Group Executive of Commercial Services at GACL
• Albert Adjetey Adjei‑Laryea, Chief Executive Officer of Devnest Systems

Details of the investigation

The case involves a contract awarded between GACL and a private firm linked to the proprietor of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML). The OSP is investigating potential breaches of procurement law, specifically focusing on the alleged sole-sourcing of the contract without GACL Board approval.

SML under scrutiny

Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) has already come under public and regulatory scrutiny over its revenue assurance contracts with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The recent arrests are part of a broader investigation into non-competitive procurement practices in state institutions.

Wider context and implications

GACL, a state-owned company, manages airports across the country, including Kotoka International Airport in Accra.
The detainment of Mr. Adom‑Otchere signifies a notable escalation in the OSP’s crackdown on alleged corruption within state-owned enterprises and public procurement processes.