Regional News of Monday, 17 August 2009

Source: GNA

New Juaben Assembly spent GH¢1,475.00 on Ghana@50

Accra, Aug 17, GNA- Mr. Michael Kwesi Offei, New Juaben Municipal Co-ordinating Director on Monday told the Presidential Ghana @ 50 Probe that the Municipal Assembly spent a total of GH¢ 1,475.00 on a gymnastic troupe that performed on the Independence Day.

He said the amount accounted for their costumes, travelling and transport and other allowances incurred during preparations towards the Ghana @ 50 celebrations.

Mr. Offei who was accounting for the expenditure said GH¢ 1,607 ..00 was also spent on an inter-denominational service and Muslim prayers organised during the celebrations.

On why money was paid for the demarcation of land and the subsequent awarding of a contract for a model school that was later stalled, the Municipal Co-ordinating Director said the contractor to execute the project was sick.

He said he did not know if the contractor, MBA B Ghana Limited was a one-man contractor when Mrs. Marietta Opoku- Appiah, a member of the commission made that suggestion.

Mr. Offei promised to revisit the model school project, in a meeting with all assembly members to ensure that it is completed to serve the people.

"Model schools have special roles in society by inspiring others to live up to expectation and we really need. them in our communities to raise educational standards."

Mr. Godwin Kwadjo Dekpor, Kwahu West Municipal Co-ordinating Director said his outfit did not know the number of souvenirs that were sent to the assembly since he was not at post.

He said the assembly did not officially check whether the waybills were available, when Justice Duose, Chairman of the Commission asked if the assembly had followed up with any written correspondence on the issue.

Justice Duose reminded all public officials that it is important to have proper documentation on how government funds are expended.