Explosive Denial: Presidential Staffer Fires Back at Fourth Estate’s Scathing Report
Presidential staffer Gilbert Atippoe has fired back at The Fourth Estate's scathing report on the Presidential Committee's investigation into sole-sourced contracts under the government's Big Push infrastructure programme. In a social media post on Tuesday, August 11, he challenged the accuracy of the report, citing official records from state regulatory institutions that contradict key claims.
Presidential Staffer Pushes Back Against Scathing Report
Gilbert Atippoe's denial comes after The Fourth Estate's March 2026 report revealed that the Ministry of Roads and Highways had allegedly become a factory for sole-sourcing under the government's Big Push initiative. The report also published how contracts had been awarded to companies with questionable capacity and experience.
In his social media post, Mr. Atippoe argued that official records from state regulatory institutions raise questions about the basis on which The Fourth Estate reached its conclusions. He defended the 72-page report produced by the committee chaired by Dr. Valerie Sawyerr, insisting that its findings were based on statutory records and documentary evidence.
Questioning the Committee's Findings
Mr. Atippoe raised several issues with the report, including the registration history of Growth 82 Ventures. According to him, records from the Office of the Registrar of Companies show that the company was incorporated on August 18, 2020, under registration number BN680822020. This contradicts any assertion that the company's existence did not correspond with the timeline presented in the committee's report.
He also pointed to records from the Ministry of Roads and Highways concerning Growth 82 Global Ltd. Mr. Atippoe said the company holds an A1, B1 financial classification, which he described as the top-tier classification required for major infrastructure works. This demonstrates that the company had the requisite statutory capacity to undertake major projects.
SSNIT Records Undermine Committee's Claims
The presidential staffer also disputed claims concerning the workforce capacity of contractors referenced in the committee's report. He cited SSNIT records relating to Build Managers Ltd and Sanam Ghana Ltd, saying the companies had active employee rolls of 20 and 26 workers respectively. Both companies also held valid SSNIT Clearance Certificates and had met their statutory obligations under the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766).
Mr. Atippoe said these verifiable facts show that the committee's assessments of company capacity were accurate and thorough. He accused The Fourth Estate of failing to conduct adequate verification of regulatory records before publishing its report.
Demand for Correction
Mr. Atippoe has called on The Fourth Estate to retract what he described as a misleading publication and issue an unreserved public apology to Dr. Valerie Sawyerr and the members of the committee. He argued that basic journalistic ethics and public accountability dictate that when a media organisation publishes inaccurate premises that damage public reputations, a prompt correction is required.
The Fourth Estate's report has sparked widespread controversy, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the government's Big Push initiative. The presidency's investigation into the allegations has been ongoing, with Dr. Valerie Sawyerr's committee producing a detailed report on the matter.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the controversy surrounding the Presidential Committee's report has raised important questions about the role of the media in holding those in power accountable. The Fourth Estate's response to Mr. Atippoe's allegations will be closely watched, as the public waits to see how this story will unfold.
Source: Joy Online
