JA Plant Pool's $2m DRIP Scandal: Overpayment and Tax Evasion Exposed

Accra ,Ocotber 22,2025 - Ghana's Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has revealed that JA Plant Pool Ghana Limited was overpaid by $2 million under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) contract, sparking a major scandal over alleged financial irregularities.

According to Dr. Ayine, the contract sum was $176 million, but payments totaling $178 million were made, resulting in the $2 million overpayment. The Attorney-General has demanded that JA Plant Pool refund the excess amount.

Investigations have also uncovered tax evasion amounting to GH¢38.7 million, with 190 pieces of equipment imported and cleared under false tax exemption claims. Dr. Ayine stated that his office has identified significant over-invoicing of equipment purchased under the programme, with mark-ups ranging between 100% and 300%.

For instance, one piece of equipment costing $40,000 was invoiced at $84,000, representing a 110% increase. A team of investigators is conducting a detailed item-by-item review of all equipment supplied under the DRIP contract to build a strong legal case.

The revelations are part of a broader effort to recover misappropriated funds and hold accountable those involved in financial breaches from previous contracts. The DRIP initiative, launched by the Akufo-Addo government, aimed to facilitate rapid infrastructure development across Ghana's districts.

The contract was awarded to JA Plant Pool, part of the Zoomlion conglomerate, without competitive bidding, sparking criticism from opposition figures, including MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who described it as a "sole-sourced sweetheart deal".

Source - Lead News Online