Inflated Contract and Bypassed Rules
A multimillion-cedi procurement deal by the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) is facing scrutiny amid allegations of irregularities, inflated pricing, and a potential conflict of interest.
The contract, worth USD 878,641, was awarded for the installation of an Automatic Weather Observation System (AWOS) at Kotoka International Airport, but experts and insiders say the process bypassed best practices and raises troubling questions about accountability.
At the centre of the deal is PM Consult Limited, a company previously linked to weather-related procurements, though without any confirmed experience in system installation or technical delivery.
The firm was awarded the contract under circumstances described by observers as opaque, with the final figure split into a USD 196,000 “Goods Component” and a USD 682,641 “Works Component.”
While the equipment cost is in line with global benchmarks, industry professionals say the installation charges appear grossly inflated.
THE SLOVAKIAN SWITCH
The new AWOS is to be supplied by MicroStep-MIS, a Slovakian manufacturer. GMet’s decision to procure this system has raised eyebrows, given that the existing AWOS, a Vaisala AWS 3, has functioned effectively for over 14 years.
Vaisala is a globally respected Finnish brand, and GMet’s own engineers are trained on its systems. Sources within the agency say there was no technical justification for replacing or supplementing the Vaisala system with a different brand, particularly one with a shorter track record in similar climatic conditions.
Technical staff, who requested anonymity, expressed concern that the new system might not integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure.
“We would need to train our personnel all over again,” said one engineer. “This decision feels unnecessary, especially when the current system is operational.”
PROCUREMENT WITHOUT COMPETITION
Documents reviewed show that the contract was awarded through sole sourcing, citing urgency. However, experts argue that AWOS systems are widely available and that no credible justification has been offered for bypassing competitive tender procedures.
“There was no equipment failure, no state of emergency, and no documented breakdown of the existing system,” noted a procurement analyst. “The conditions for sole sourcing under Ghanaian law were not met.”
PM CONSULT AND QUESTIONS OF INFLUENCE
Investigators are also examining the role of PM Consult. The company is reportedly linked to GMet’s Director-General and was previously involved in a World Bank-funded procurement project that is now under investigation. In 2024, PM Consult was awarded a contract for 105 Automatic Weather Stations under the Ghana Digital Agriculture Project (GDAP). Allegations of forged documentation and irregular supplier sourcing from Slovakia and China have since surfaced.
Further complicating matters, PM Consult was reportedly excluded from a subsequent MIS/FSRP bid in 2025 after attracting scrutiny. Instead, four new companies were enlisted in subsequent bids; an arrangement insiders believe was intended to obscure PM Consult’s continued involvement behind alternative corporate fronts
COST DISCREPANCIES AND CONTRACT TIMING
Industry sources familiar with AWOS installations say that a complete system, including equipment and installation, typically costs between USD 150,000 and USD 200,000. The USD 682,641 figure allocated for “Works” in the GMet contract is considered excessive, particularly in the absence of a Bill of Quantities or civil works breakdown.
Even more concerning is the timing: approval was granted by the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) on 3 December 2024, with the contract signed two days later. A payment voucher dated 18 December shows a GHS 2.4 million part-payment, and records indicate a 15% mobilisation fee was issued just six days after the signing. Critics say the rapid sequence, occurring just weeks before national elections, adds to the perception of impropriety.
“Why the rush?” asked a senior civil society observer. “This is not a procurement timeline that reflects transparency or value for money.”
EXCLUDING TECHNICAL EXPERTS
Sources allege that GMet’s engineering team was excluded from the procurement process. This omission is seen as a major procedural flaw, as such professionals would typically be responsible for evaluating system compatibility and long-term maintenance costs.
“You don’t make a decision like this without your technical people at the table,” said one source. “That’s how costly mistakes happen.”
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Calls for investigation are mounting. Civil society groups, engineers within the agency, and policy analysts are demanding a full audit by the Auditor General, a criminal probe by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and internal inquiries into the role of GMet leadership.
“The evidence suggests a coordinated effort to bypass procurement rules,” said a senior investigative officer who requested anonymity. “We’re looking at potential abuse of office, collusion, and improper financial conduct.”
The Presidency has yet to issue a statement, but insiders say pressure is growing for a review of the deal. As one retired meteorologist put it, “When clouds gather in procurement, the forecast is rarely good.”
News Desk Report