J.A. Plant Pool (GH) Limited (JAPP) and its Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, have strongly rejected allegations by the Attorney-General that the company owes the Government of Ghana US$2 million under a contract executed as part of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP).
The company, in a statement issued in Accra, said it would vigorously defend itself against the legal action and has instructed its lawyers to challenge the suit and seek its dismissal.
The Attorney-General recently commenced legal proceedings seeking to recover US$2 million, which the state alleges is owed under a contract awarded to J.A. Plant Pool (GH) Limited under the DRIP initiative. However, JAPP insists that the claim is without merit and maintains that it has fully complied with all contractual obligations.
According to the company, the contract in question was executed on February 12, 2024, following approval granted by the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) on January 10, 2024. The approval allowed the Government of Ghana to procure machinery and equipment from J.A. Plant Pool (GH) Limited at a total cost of US$178,704,739.50.
JAPP emphasized that both the PPA approval and the subsequent contract clearly stated the total contract value, arguing that the procurement process was conducted in accordance with established procedures.
The company further stated that it successfully delivered all machinery and equipment required under the agreement and that the contract has been fully performed. It added that all payments due under the contract were made strictly in line with the agreed contractual terms.
JAPP and Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong categorically denied owing any amount to the Government of Ghana or any of its agencies under the DRIP contract. They maintained that there is no basis for the Attorney-General’s claim and expressed confidence that the courts will ultimately vindicate them.
The company also raised concerns about the manner in which news of the lawsuit was circulated in the media. According to the statement, reports about the legal action became widely publicized before the company and its Executive Chairman had even been served with the court documents.
JAPP argued that the extensive publicity surrounding the lawsuit had caused significant reputational harm to the company, the Jospong Group of Companies, and their local and international business partners.
The company described the Attorney-General’s action as being undertaken in bad faith and said it would use all available legal means to defend its reputation and business interests.
“JA Plant Pool and Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong consider the suit filed by the Attorney-General to be in bad faith and have accordingly instructed their lawyers to challenge the suit and ensure its dismissal,” the statement noted.
The company further appealed to the public to disregard what it described as suggestions of wrongdoing arising from the widespread publication of the lawsuit, stressing that the matter remains before the courts and has not been determined.
JAPP reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, lawful business practices and constructive engagement with all stakeholders, including the Government of Ghana.
The company said it remains focused on its operations and will continue to support national development initiatives while pursuing its legal defence against the claims brought by the Attorney-General.
Full Press Release
J.A. PLANT POOL (GH) LIMITED AND DR. JOSEPH SIAW AGYEPONG TO VIGOROUSLY DEFEND ACTION COMMENCED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
J.A. Plant Pool (GH) Limited (“JAPP”) and its Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, have taken note of a suit filed by the Honorable Attorney-General purporting to recover the sum of Two Million United States Dollars (US$2,000,000.00) alleged by the Attorney-General to be owed under a contract executed and duly performed by JA Plant Pool (GH) under the District Road Improvement Programme (“DRIP”).
Given the widespread publication of the suit in the media even before it was served on JA Plant Pool (GH) Limited and Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, and before the Court has had the opportunity of determining same, severe and unjustified reputational damage has been caused JAPP, the Jospong Group of Companies and their local and international business partners by the action of the Attorney-General. JAPP and Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong hereby clarify the material facts as follows:
1. JAPP and Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong categorically deny any indebtedness to the Government of Ghana or any of her agencies arising from the Contract dated 12th February 2024, executed pursuant to the DRIP program.
2. The Contract dated 12th February 2024 was preceded by the grant of approval by the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) on 10th January 2024 for the Government to procure the supply of equipment and machines from JA Plant Pool (GH) Limited at a total cost of One Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Nine United States Dollars, Fifty Cents (US$178,704,739.50).
3. Both the PPA approval obtained by the Government (not JA Plant Pool) and the Contract entered subsequently into stated the sum of US$178,704,739.50 as the cost of the machines and equipment.
4. As the Attorney General knows, the Contract has since been fully performed with JA Plant Pool duly supplying all machines and equipment to the Government of Ghana. All payments required to be made under the Contract have been made in strict accordance with the terms of the Contract.
5. JA Plant Pool and Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong consider the suit filed by the Attorney-General to be in bad faith and have accordingly instructed their lawyers to challenge the suit and ensure its dismissal.
6. JAPP and Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong urge the public to disregard the imputations of wrongdoing conveyed by the wide publication of the suit by the Attorney-General in the media. The Jospong Group of Companies continues to be committed to the principles of transparency, accountability, lawful conduct and constructive engagement with all stakeholders, including the Government of Ghana.
Issued by:
J.A. Plant Pool (GH) Limited
For and on behalf of J.A. Plant Pool (GH) Limited and Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong
Accra, Ghana
