CEO of GEPA Criticized for Alleged Excessive Spending on a 3 minutes documentary video

Afia Asabea Asare, CEO of Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), has reportedly spent GH¢100,000 on a three-minute video documentary about her management. The contract was awarded to Yaw Pare Photography through Sole-Source.

The Herald, a local newspaper, cited an invoice from Yaw Pare Photography that showed that the amount had been deposited into the company’s account at First Atlantic Bank, East Legon Branch. The account number is 0002012701070.

The expenditure breakdown for the short video includes GH¢55,000 for editing, voice over, animation, soundtrack, and intellectual work. GH¢35,000 was allocated for hiring drones, cameras, sound, and lighting gears. The remaining GH¢10,000 covered accommodation, food, and transport.

The invoice is dated March 10, 2019, but it remains unknown when the video promoting Ghana’s export potential will air.

Queries about the contract and payment raised by some GEPA officers, including the Procurement Officer and Internal Auditor, reportedly resulted in their dismissal.

This spending has drawn comparisons to the 2018 budget of the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, which earmarked GH¢800,000 (approximately $200,000) for website design.

Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) CEO, Afia Asabea Asare spent Gh¢100,000(1Billion) on 3 minutes video documentary about her management.

The contract which was awarded to Yaw Pare Photography was through Sole-Source pic.twitter.com/mhiCtRpOhl

— Ghana Crimes (@GhanaCrimes) November 7, 2023