Government on Monday said that the document circulated to the media by the Minority National Democratic Congress (NDC) group in Parliament allegedly indicting Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, for causing financial loss to the state to the tune of 150 million cedis was obnoxious and deceptive.
"This is the outcome of an obnoxious scheme meant to throw dust into the eyes of the Ghanaian public", says Mr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako a government spokesman.
Speaking an interview with the GNA to throw more light on the issue Mr Amponsah-Bediako said contrary to the NDC's statement that Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey was paid 150 million cedis, which was not accounted for, the amount was rather paid into the account of the Chief of Staff but not to Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey as a person.
He indicated that the report dated 8 May 2002, and signed by one Mabel Irene Krow for the Acting Auditor General was made known to the Auditor-General on 21 June 2002, but Mr Alban Bagbin, the Minority Leader and the NDC had already been served earlier with copies. Mr Amponsah-Bediako said that it was the earlier report that was being used by the NDC for "the mischievous political antics".
He deplored the circumstances under which the report was prepared without any reference to the receipts and acknowledgement relating to how the money was spent adding, "the NDC is clearly in league with some agents within the Audit Service to come up with interim reports that could not clarify all relevant issue".
Mr Amponsah-Bediako said that auditing processes involved the raising of queries to ascertain whether money taken had been spent for the intended purpose. He explained that it was only after answers to the queries had been compiled that a final report was presented to the appropriate quarters, adding, "in this case, however, what was supposed to be an interim report had been circulated to the public as final report to create wrong impression".
He said attempts by the NDC caucus in Parliament to deceive the public would fail and the truth would soon be established. In a related issue the New Patriotic Youth League (NPYL) called for a probe into circumstances surrounding the Audit Special Project Account of the Ministry of Works and Housing.
A statement signed by Mr Eric Mensah, National Co-ordinator of the League, said the probe to be instituted should "investigate the motive of the audit team, its composition, release of the report and distribution."
The statement said "after thorough investigations into the matter the NPYL was certain about its conclusion that the so-called audit was more informed by politics than professional obligation and was a conspiracy between NDC Trojan horses in the Audit Service and their masters, to cause maximum embarrassment to the NPP government.
"We find it most amazing for instance, that a report signed for the Acting Auditor-General and dated 8th May 2002 could become known to the Acting Auditor-General himself on Friday 21 June 2002, six whole weeks after its issue and three days after the Minority NDC issued a press release based on the report".
The statement cautioned the government "against complacency in its dealing with fifth columnists and advise that while it pursues the policy of all-inclusiveness and transparency, it should exercise zero tolerance for public officials, who are out to either sabotage and embarrass government, as our investigation shows that the said report seeks to do". The statement urged the NDC to shut up when issues of corruption and morality, "real or perceived are being discussed".
