Tamale (Northern Region) 1st June '99

The committee set up by the government to investigate allegations of malpractices against three former district chief executives in the Northern Region on Thursday presented its report to the regional minister, Mr Joshua Alabi.

The former chief executives are Alhaji A.M.Y.M.B. Ibrahimah, Tamale Municipality, Alhaji Seidu Karimu, East Gonja, and Mr Issaka Bawa, East Mamprusi.

The three-member committee, under the chairmanship of Dr. Naminong Karbo of the Animal Research Institute, investigated the 120 million cedis allegedly missing from the Tamale municipal assembly common fund.

The committee also delved into the alleged illegal and unauthorised award of contracts by the three former chief executives.

Presenting the 80-page report, Dr. Karbo said 55 people, including the three former chief executives, appeared before the committee.

He thanked the regional minister and the regional co-ordinating council for the confidence reposed in them and the opportunity to contribute their quota to nation building.

Dr. Karbo said the report would provide the regional co-ordinating council with the opportunity to take informed policy decisions on the issues at stake.

Mr Alabi said the setting up of the committee underscores the importance government attaches to the tenets of probity and accountability.

He said the report will be closely studied and "objective comments" made to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

He appealed to all stakeholders to exercise patience while the government studies the report to enable it to come out with a white paper.