In what is shaping up to be one of the most shocking scandals in recent memory, the Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Thomas Kofi Alonsi, is at the center of a $14 million debacle involving a dubious contract with Serbian company VLATACOM. Allegations of abuse of office, deliberate financial mismanagement, and unchecked extravagance have surfaced, casting a dark shadow over the Authority.
Insider Whistleblower Exposes Rot at GMA
According to insider reports, Alonsi allegedly awarded a staggering $14 million contract to VLATACOM to outfit GMA’s Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) with top-of-the-line equipment. But here’s the shocker: despite a jaw-dropping 60% of the contract’s value already paid, not a single piece of equipment has been delivered!
Money Flowing like Water – Allegations of ‘Create, Loot, and Share’
Sources close to the Authority paint a picture of a well-orchestrated scheme designed to milk state funds. Insiders accuse Alonsi and his Deputy of masterminding a plan to “create, loot, and share” the colossal sum, raising serious concerns about whether the entire VLATACOM deal is nothing more than a vehicle for siphoning public resources. With $14 million at stake, GMA staffers are reportedly terrified of retribution, daring only to whisper about the Director General’s dubious dealings.
Lavish Spending While Projects Stall
Beyond the VLATACOM scandal, Alonsi stands accused of racking up a staggering 100,000 Ghana cedis monthly on fuel and travel expenses — expenses that sources allege are spent on personal political ambitions. As the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for Builsa North in the upcoming 2024 elections, Alonsi is said to frequently finance trips to his constituency with GMA’s funds, exploiting his position to further his political goals at taxpayers’ expense.
Staff Silenced, Scandals Leaked
Fearful of being silenced, some staff have secretly leaked details of Alonsi’s alleged misconduct to the media, desperate for accountability. They question why state funds are funneled into Alonsi’s constant trips to the Upper East Region, trips they claim are personal rather than official. Documents, allegedly showing regular cash flows from GMA coffers into Alonsi’s personal travel fund, are making rounds as explosive evidence of corruption at the very top.
The End Nears? Rumors from the Jubilee House
Amidst public outcry and mounting pressure, whispers from the Jubilee House suggest that the embattled Director General’s days at GMA are numbered. Sources say that barring any last-minute changes, Alonsi is likely to be axed due to the embarrassment his actions have brought on the GMA and the ruling NPP government.
The Question Remains: How Deep Does the Rot Go?
With this scandal splashed across headlines, Ghanaians are left to wonder: How much longer will the abuse of office and looting of public funds continue unchecked? Only time will tell if justice will prevail and accountability will finally be restored at the Ghana Maritime Authority
Source: with additional material from NewsflashAfrica.