The Public Procurement Authority (PPA) has rejected the Parliamentary Service of Ghana’s request to procure legal services from the external firm Messrs Sory@Law.
In correspondence reviewed by myjoyonline.com, the PPA emphasised that as a state institution, Parliament should utilise the Attorney General’s Department for all legal matters.
This decision reflects the PPA’s stance on maintaining institutional integrity and adherence to established protocols for legal representation.
In a letter dated December 12, 2022, and signed by PPA Chief Executive Officer Frank Mante, the PPA responded to Parliament’s request submitted on November 15, 2022.
The PPA board denied the approval of the single-source procurement method sought for engaging Sory@Law, reinforcing the notion that state institutions must prioritize utilising resources within the Attorney General’s Department for litigation.
“At the 31st Board Meeting of the 5th Board held on Thursday 8 December 2022, the Board could not approve your request to use the Single Source Procurement Method to engage Messrs Sory @ Law as an external solicitor to support Parliament and the Parliamentary Service at a Retainer Fee of GHS5,000.00 and specific fee for the conduct of constitutional cases in the Supreme Court at a fee not exceeding GHC300,000.00,” the PPA’s letter to the Clerk to Parliament said.
“The Board noted that, since the Attorney General is the Principal Legal Advisor, the Board is of the considered opinion that, Parliamentary Service should continue to use the Services of the AG in all legal matters,” the PPA letter to the Clerk to Parliament, Cyril Kwabena Oteng-Nsiah, further said.
During the 2023/2024 legal year, Sory@Law represented Parliament in various cases concerning the Parliament of Ghana.
In the ongoing 2024/2025 legal year, Sory@Law has filed and is representing Parliament in several new cases.
The most recent case involves Alexander Afenyo Markin against the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General’s Department, focusing on the interpretation of Article 97 (1) (g) and (h) related to the seats held by four current members of Parliament.
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