Accra, June 25, GNA - Mr E .T. Mensah, the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, on Thursday expressed his amazement at the way the minority caucus in parliament unanimously supported Mr P.C. Ofori, a member of the house who the New Patriotic Party (NPP) members in the house declared as Persona-Non Grata.

Mr Mensah was reacting to a question relating to Mr Ofori's contribution on BA @50 celebration in which he pointed out to Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye Maafo, Brong Ahafo regional Minister that it had caused financial loss to the state to the tune of 7,800.00 Ghana Cedis.

Mr Ofori was comparing proceeds from BA@50 cloth which amounted to 14,900.00 with expenditure on BA@50 Cloth which is 22,700.00 when Mr Maafo, was in the house to answer questions on the BA@50 celebrations.

Mr Maafo said total revenue received from both public and private sources amounted to 462,894.42 Ghana Cedis out of which revenue from public sources amounted to 285,634.42, private sources amounted to 162,360.00 and proceeds from BA@50 was 14,900.00.

Expenditure recorded 413, 563.98 Ghana cedis from items including sports amounting to 47,953.00, fuel and repairs 18,262.55, T and T and accommodation 21,901.45, Consultancy stood at 19,089.00, Awards recorded 27, 580.50, Grand Durbar/Climax was 41,390.10, Quiz Competition 12,076.50, Projects (Arch, Statue/Busts) was 93,806.14, BA trade fair and Investment Fair reached 23,022.24 and others amounted to 20, 300.00

The minority demanded that Mr Mensah should withdraw the word "you people '' when he said " I am surprise you people declared P C as persona non grata are you now supporting him for saying that the Minister had caused a financial loss to the state"

Mr Mensah, who was asked by the Speaker to withdraw the word did so by substituting it with "you the minority.''

The minority had declared Mr Ofori as Persona Non-Grata after he stated in parliament that the members were bribed with 5,000.00 Ghana Cedis each for the sale of Ghana Telecom to Vodaphone an amount he Mr Ofori refused. 25 June 10