The Ministry of Finance has disclosed that GH¢5.26 million has been spent so far on the Ghana, 60 Years On celebration.
Answering questions on behalf of the Ministry, Deputy Finance Minister Kwaku Kwarteng alluded to the fact that his sector released an amount of GH¢5.26 million towards the celebration of the nation’s 60th anniversary.
This was made up of GH¢ 3.1 million from the government of Ghana’s sources of funding and GH¢ 2.16 million from the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).
He indicated that out of the total of GH¢5.26 million, GH¢ 3.0 million went to the office of the Chief of Staff at the Ghana, 60 Years On Secretariat whilst GH¢ 100,000 and GH¢ 2.16 million went to the ten regional coordinating council and 216 district assemblies respectively.
The Obuasi West MP made the House aware of the actual disbursement to the office of the Chief of Staff.
He indicated that an amount of GH¢2.98 million was spent by the Ghana, 60 Years On Secretariat out of the release from the GOG sources.
An amount of GH¢ 2.16 million was spent by the ten regional coordinating councils, bringing the total expenditure to GH¢ 5.24 million of the GH¢5.26 million released.
However, North Tongu MP Okudzeto Ablakwa asked if the President was aware such an amount had been used from state coffers since he told Ghanaians that the celebration will be sponsored by some private sector members.
To this, Mr Kwarteng said the amount was part of the budget presented to Parliament and so he believes the President should know about the GH¢5.26 million spent so far.
He, however, failed to tell the House how much more is expected to be spent since the celebration is ongoing.
Mr Kwarteng, apart from this, could not answer most of the questions thrown at him on the floor by Members but rather informed the House that he will have to furnish them later. On others too, he told Parliament that it is the Secretariat which can provide the answers.
For example, he deferred to the Secretariat on funds raised apart from the intended budget and whether or not contractors have been fully paid.
The Deputy Minority Leader, James Avedzi Klutse, said he wants to confirm with his district how the money allotted to it was utilized and for that matter the Minister should tell the House the collaboration and processes between the Ministry of Finance and the District Assembly leading to the expenditure.
But Speaker Aaron Mike Oquaye told him to find out from the District and not from the Minister.
The original question that triggered the discussion was posed by the MP for Juaboso, Minta Akando.
By Owoahene Omari Acheampong|Onua 95.1FM|3news.com|Ghana