J.A. Plant Pool (GH) Limited (JAPP) and its Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, have strongly denied owing the Government of Ghana US$2 million under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), vowing to vigorously challenge a lawsuit filed by the Attorney-General.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the company said it had taken note of legal action commenced by the Attorney-General seeking to recover the amount, which the state alleges is owed under a contract executed as part of the DRIP initiative.
JAPP described the suit as unfounded and expressed concern over what it called extensive media publicity surrounding the case before the company and Dr. Agyepong had been formally served.
According to the company, the publicity has caused significant reputational harm to JAPP, the Jospong Group of Companies, and their local and international business partners.
The company categorically denied any indebtedness to the government or any of its agencies arising from the contract dated February 12, 2024.
JAPP explained that the contract followed approval by the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) on January 10, 2024, authorizing the government to procure machinery and equipment from the company at a total cost of US$178.7 million.
The statement noted that both the PPA approval and the subsequent contract clearly stipulated the amount as the agreed cost of the equipment and machinery supplied under the programme.
The company further maintained that it had fully fulfilled its contractual obligations by delivering all the required equipment and machinery to the Government of Ghana, adding that all payments under the contract were made strictly in accordance with its terms.
JAPP and Dr. Agyepong described the Attorney-General’s suit as being filed in bad faith and said they had instructed their legal team to challenge the action and seek its dismissal in court.
The company also urged the public to disregard what it termed allegations of wrongdoing arising from media reports on the case.
“JAPP and Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong urge the public to disregard the imputations of wrongdoing conveyed by the wide publication of the suit,” the statement said.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, lawful conduct, and constructive engagement with all stakeholders, including the Government of Ghana.
The Attorney-General’s office is yet to publicly respond to the company’s latest statement.
Story By: Eric Boateng
