The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticized the “wanton” and “reckless dissipation” of taxpayer’s money by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, alleging that is what has led to “the current severe economic crisis”.

In a statement issued by Perry Okudzeto, the Deputy Director of Communications of the NPP on Tuesday, most of the monies expended by some government institutions last year could have brought to fruition several social amenities for the benefit of all.

“The GH¢650 million overspent at the Office of Government Machinery (Office of the president) could have built two more N1 highways. The GH¢350 million overspent by the Ministry of Sports could have built at least 5 more interchanges on the N1 highway and an interchange at Kasoa. This amount could also have built over 100 new and modern secondary schools for Ghanaian children,” Mr Okudzeto outlined.

He added: “The government spent GH¢112m on so-called capacity building and yet they couldn’t find less than GH¢20 million to pay Ghanaian University lecturers whose work involve capacity building more than any other profession.”

Mr Okudzeto cited a Daily Graphic report on Monday, July 15, 2013, disputing claims of officials of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Development Agency (GYEEDA) that the World Bank had granted the Agency $65 million since February, 2011.

“But most terrifying is that GYEEDA paid taxpayers money to the tune of GH¢4.6 million to some consultant to facilitate the support, even though the World Bank has stated that it only deals with prospective beneficiaries directly and does not engage consultants or facilitators.”

By the statement, the NPP called on government to do better, saying: “Ghanaians certainly deserve better than this very bad governance.”