Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen has asked for a probe into the bribery scandal which has hit the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).
Reports emerged on Monday that the GSA's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. George Crentsil, had allegedly received an amount of $1.2 million (approximately GH¢5 million) from a construction firm as kickback on a GH¢15.2 million contract given the firm.
The firm, Lemet Construction Company, contracted to build new training school and hostel facility for the GSA, for no stated reason was found to have given an amount of $1.2 million to Dr. Crentsil.
Citing a report from an investigative committee, Joy FM reported that that apart from the $1.2 million kickback, the same contractor supplied building materials and marshalled workers to complete a three-bedroom storey building for the CEO at East Legon in Accra.
The story has sparked public interest, with calls on the security agencies to take up and investigate the issue. Consequently, the  Trade Minister has formally written to the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo to order a forensic audit into the activities of the GSA.
According to reports, Mr Kyerematen's memo requesting for the audit has been received by Mr Osafo Maafo's office awaiting further action.
Meanwhile, MP for Cape Coast South and the Deputy Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Kweku Ricketts-Hagan has indicated that he will raise the matter in parliament when it resumes next week.
According to him, though it’s now only an allegation, as the committee with oversight responsibility for the Trade Ministry and its agencies, it is only proper they get concerned with issues of corruption or fraud.
"At this stage, it is an allegation and obviously, any allegation should be investigated. We would be going back to the house at the end of the month and I'm sure the committee will meet to decide on the next line of action mon it", he stated in an interview on Joy FM on Tuesday.
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