Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor has hit back at what he describes as a “gross misrepresentation” of his recent testimony before Parliament, clarifying that the contractor for the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam project was indeed paid, despite failing to deliver on the work.
The minister’s statement follows a wave of social media reports claiming he told the Government Assurances Committee that the contractor had received no payment. Jinapor labelled these reports as entirely false and “mischievous”, noting that his appearance before the committee was broadcast live and remains a matter of public record.
According to the minister, the reality is far more concerning than the rumours suggest. Rather than a lack of funding, Jinapor testified that the contractor was paid but subsequently vanished.
“I explicitly stated that the contractor had been paid but subsequently absconded with the funds without executing any corresponding work,” the minister clarified.
He further explained that while a follow-up question from the committee chairman might have been taken out of context by some outlets, his answer remained consistent: the contractor was not paid for any work done because no work was actually completed—not that no money had changed hands.
The Pwalugu Dam project, intended to address perennial flooding and boost irrigation in Northern Ghana, has faced significant scrutiny over its slow progress.
Mr Jinapor revealed that the government is no longer just tracking the project’s timeline but is now pursuing legal accountability.
The matter has been formally handed over to the attorney general and minister for justice.
State agencies are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the missing funds.
The minister noted that the government is seeking legal advice on the possible prosecution of the parties involved.
Expressing disappointment over the distortion of his remarks, Mr Jinapor urged the public to disregard the viral headlines and called on media practitioners to verify facts through official channels before publishing.
“The attempt to distort these facts is not only unfortunate but also undermines public discourse and confidence in the management of critical national issues,” the statement read.
Below is his full statement.
My attention has been drawn to a publication circulating on some social media handles with the headline “Pwalugu Dam contractor was not paid – Energy Minister reveals”, which has been falsely attributed to remarks I allegedly made during my appearance before the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament.
I wish to state, in the clearest possible terms, that this publication is entirely false, misleading, and a gross misrepresentation of the facts.
During my appearance before the committee—proceedings which were broadcast live across television and other media platforms—at no point did I make the claims attributed to me.
On the contrary, I explicitly stated that the contractor had been paid but subsequently absconded with the funds without executing any corresponding work.
I further informed the Committee that the matter is under active investigation and has been formally referred to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice for advice and possible prosecution.
In response to a follow-up question from the chairman seeking clarification, I reiterated that the contractor was not paid for any work done, thereby reaffirming my earlier position.
The attempt to distort these facts is not only unfortunate but also undermines public discourse and confidence in the management of critical national issues.
I therefore urge the general public to disregard this false and mischievous publication in its entirety. I also call on media practitioners and the general public to verify information from credible and official sources before dissemination.
Government remains committed to transparency, accountability, and ensuring that all matters of public interest are handled with the utmost integrity.
Thank you.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
