Ghana Maritime Authority denies paying over GHC135,000 on food for 8 people

Ghana Maritime Authority has refuted claims of spending over GHC135,000 on food for eight people in a single meeting in a hotel owned by the Director-General of Ghana Maritime Authority, Mr Kwame Owusu.

In a statement released on Friday, 26th October 2018, stated that the Memo making rounds on various media platforms was docketed with the writing of “8 persons”.

According to the statement, the number quoted in the memo is false and was for several meetings and not a single meeting.

Background

The Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Mr. Kwame Owusu was alleged to have squandered an amount of GHC135,125 (the old Ghana cedis equivalent of GHC1,351,250,000) one night on food and GHC10,652 on another occasion on food for just eight people.

The hotel where the expenses were incurred and paid for with the approval of the Director-General, the Luxe Suites Hotel is owned by Mr Kwame Owusu who was appointed by President Akufo-Addo to head the Ghana Maritime Authority.

The memo which showed the high level of wastage of public funds and conflict of interest was intercepted from NPP member and musician-Anti-corruption activist Kwame Asare Obeng popularly known as A-plus.

A memo dated 8th November 2017 was addressed to him by Rhoda Atiah, Director of Administration at the Authority, requesting Mr. Owusu to authorise the payment of Ten Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty-Two Ghana Cedis, Five Pesewas (GH¢10,652.05) to Luxe Suites Hotel.

The amount, the memo said, was to cover “the cost of food supplied to the Authority during the Management meetings and stakeholders meetings on Maritime Security fees and charges at the Head Office”.

On December 28, 2017, Ms Atiah raised another memo asking for Mr. Owusu’s approval for the payment of GH¢135,125.00 to LUXE Hotels for the cost of food, drinks and music provided for staff and protocols during end of year dinner party of the Ghana Maritime Authority on Friday, December 22, 2017.