4 million on Nkrumah’s Birthday is useless expenditure! -NPP

The New Patriotic Party says the GH?4 million set aside for the remembrance of Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah is a useless expenditure.

Ghana’s biggest opposition party says the amount is to be used mainly to organise lectures and provide refreshment such as tea and kebabs, rather than go into the construction of jubilee parks, or “upgrade or construct any infrastructure to the memory of the first president.”

“These expenditures, coming at a time when government is asking Ghanaians to tighten their belts because the NDC administration inherited a bad economy, are completely indefensible,” the party said in a statement signed by Kwaku Kwarteng, Communications Director.

The sattement said Ghanaians rather want to see the government’s commitment towards a number of values Dr Nkrumah stood for, including Creation of jobs to reduce poverty.

Regular supply of kerosene and other fuels so that ice-kenkey sellers, taxi drivers, tro-tro drivers, mechanics, fisher-folks and many ordinary Ghanaians can seek their daily bread without interruptions.

Charging of fair taxes, including road tolls, so that money would remain in the hands of the private sector to expand their business and grow the economy. Paying teachers and other public servants well, and not hiding behind false excuses that the economy is broke.

Bernard Mornah, a member and secretary of the planning committee overseeing the celebrations, chaired by Prof Agyemang Badu Akosa, has however argued the committee is operating a tight budget and that there is nothing profligate about the budget.