The World Bank has reduced by half funds it allocated to Ghana Post for the modernization of 50 post offices under the e-transform project.
The reduction of the money from 3.5 million dollars to 1.7 million dollars according to the Communications Ministry, was due to delays by the management of Ghana Post to justify the cost of the e-services projects.
Following the slashing of the money, only 25 post offices will be refurbished which will include the acquisition of computers and computer accessories to provide e-services.
“When the World Bank gives you money you need to justify it. The justification from Ghana Post kept delaying, the documentation and the likes. So at the Bank’s mid-year review, it decided we needed funds for other projects which include connectivity and the likes,” Sandra Frimpong, Communications Specialist at the Ministry of Communication explained on Citi FM.
ALSO READ: Nigerian business tycoon employs resigned World Bank boss
Ghana Post is one of the beneficiary state companies to receive funding from the World Bank under government’s e-transform project to revamp its operations electronically by 2020.
Other beneficiary state institutions under the e-transform project include the Ghana Procurement Authority, the Meteorology Department, the Judicial Service and Parliamentary service.
“They agreed then that instead of proposing 50 post offices initially, 25 were in good shape so let’s concentrate on the other 25 that needed the modernization,” said Sandra Frimpong.
The e-transform projects are an initiative by the government with funding from the World Bank.
It began in 2013. Although it is scheduled to end in 2020, it is not clear if the government can meet that target since work is yet to begin in all the beneficiary companies.
