GoldBod Denies Sole-Sourcing and Inflated Laptop Procurement Allegations

By Maame Efua Kwaduah

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has dismissed allegations circulating on social media that it awarded an GH¢11 million office renovation contract through sole-sourcing to a company linked to the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe.

The Board has also rejected claims that it procured laptop computers at inflated prices, describing the allegations as false and misleading.

In a statement signed by its Media Relations Officer, Prince Kwame Minkah, GoldBod explained that the renovation project became necessary following the establishment of the organisation in April 2025. The creation of the new institution led to a major recruitment exercise to strengthen the workforce of the former Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC).

According to the statement, more than 300 new employees were recruited during the process, while a new structural organogram was introduced to incorporate additional directorates, departments and operational units.

The Board noted that the expansion of the organisation created an urgent need for additional office space and improved facilities to support its growing operations.

GoldBod said it was therefore compelled to relocate from the deteriorating offices previously occupied by PMMC at Diamond House, which it described as unsuitable for the operations of the newly established institution.

The organisation subsequently rented the former Bank of Ghana Head Office located at No.1 Thorpe Road in Accra to serve as office accommodation.

However, GoldBod indicated that the building had previously been described by the central bank as structurally defective and not fit for purpose. As a result, renovation and refurbishment works had to be carried out to improve the building’s structural integrity and make it suitable for use.

The Board explained that it formally sought approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) on May 26, 2025 to undertake the project using the restricted tendering procurement method. Approval for the process was subsequently granted on June 24, 2025.

Following the approval, three companies were shortlisted and invited to participate in the tender process.

GoldBod said Correca Ghana Limited emerged as the successful bidder after meeting the required procurement conditions and technical requirements for the project.

“The mischievous claim that the contract was awarded through sole-sourcing is completely false. Correca Ghana Limited was qualified to undertake the works and completed the project in a timely and professional manner,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Board also dismissed allegations that it procured fifteen laptop computers at an inflated cost of GH¢322,500.

GoldBod explained that the laptops were purchased in November 2025 from GET4LESS Ghana Limited as part of efforts to provide working tools for newly appointed directors and deputy directors of the organisation.

The Board said approval was obtained from the Public Procurement Authority to use the single-source procurement method due to the urgent nature of the procurement and the supplier’s ability to provide the required quantity of the specified laptops within the needed timeframe.

According to GoldBod, the fifteen laptops were purchased at a total cost of GH¢322,500, translating into a unit price of GH¢21,500.

The Board explained that the price aligns with the market value of the Lenovo ThinkPad T14S laptop with a Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, adding that checks with suppliers show the price is competitive.

“The claim that the laptops were procured at an inflated price is complete falsehood,” the statement stressed.

GoldBod added that in the interest of transparency and accountability, details of both contracts have been published on its official website in accordance with the Ghana Gold Board Act 2025 (Act 1140).

The Board further urged the public to disregard what it described as attempts by “fake news merchants” to tarnish the image of the institution, noting that suggestions that some individuals had intercepted the contract documents were entirely false.