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The Fourth Estate

The Fourth Estate

Released: 2026-04-02
© 2026 The Fourth Estate
The Fourth Estate - QR Code
7 Episodes
Audio
Listen on Apple Podcasts
7 Episodes
Audio
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Released: 2026-04-02
© 2026 The Fourth Estate
Most Recent Episode
Sole-Sourcing for Big Push: The Gulf Between Promise and Delivery

Sole-Sourcing for Big Push: The Gulf Between Promise and Delivery

Right at the start of his second term in office, President John Mahama pledged to eliminate sole-sourcing, suggesting a push for new legislation to end the practice of awarding public contracts without competitive bidding. It was a bold promise, framed
Time: 27:00
Right at the start of his second term in office, President John Mahama pledged to eliminate sole-sourcing, suggesting a push for new legislation to end the practice of awarding public contracts without competitive bidding. It was a bold promise, framed as part of a broader effort to improve transparency and accountability in government procurement.
But an investigation by The Fourth Estate suggests a gap between policy and practice. Looking closely at contracts under the government’s flagship Big Push infrastructure programme, reporters found that more than half were awarded through sole-sourcing — the very approach the President has vowed to abolish.
The findings have already drawn attention at the highest level and sparked fresh questions about how major public projects are being executed.
In this episode, The Fourth Estate editor Kwaku Krobea Asante breaks down the investigation, explains how the contracts were tracked, and reflects on what this means for procurement reform in Ghana.
Episode ID: 1000758929751
GUID: Buzzsprout-18955115
Release Date: 02/04/2026, 22:00:00

Description

The Fourth Estate Podcast takes you beyond the headlines of Ghana’s most impactful investigative journalism.
Produced by The Fourth Estate, a non-profit public interest project of the Media Foundation for West Africa, the podcast opens up the reporting that has triggered investigations, prosecutions and difficult national conversations about power, accountability and justice. With a strong focus on corruption, governance, the environment, health and human rights, each episode deepens public understanding of issues that directly affect people’s lives.
This is where listeners hear the full story. We go behind the scenes with the journalists who broke major investigations, speak to sources who entrusted us with their experiences, and revisit stories that continue to shape public policy and democratic accountability in Ghana.
The Fourth Estate Podcast offers a new way to engage with rigorous, independent journalism, thoughtfully reported and carefully explained, wherever you get your podcasts.

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