Interior minister accused of hoarding relief items

Deputy Minister for the Central Region, Queenstar Pokua Sawyerr is accusing the Minister for the Interior, Kwesi Ahwoi of hoarding relief items meant for persons displaced by rainstorm in the Agona East district.

Queenstar Pokua Sawyerr claimed Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi has deliberately refused to release relief items meant for the victims and resorted to distributing them at his will.

The deputy minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Agona East, further accused the interior minister of working against her, following her victory in the parliamentary primary there, which Mr. Awhoi also contested but lost.

Madam Pokua Sawyer went ahead to win the seat in the 2012 elections on the ticket of National Democratic Congress. She alleged Mr. Awhoi had been mobilizing youth in the area to attack some persons who are in support of her.

The over 900 victims of the rainstorm which hit the district, are yet to receive relief items almost two weeks after the disaster. Roofs of several houses were ripped off and other school buildings destroyed.

Agona East Co-ordinator for the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Francis Baidoo told Joy News the interior ministry distributed roofing sheets and basins to some schools which were affected.

He, however, mentioned that a larger number of the victims are yet to receive any help. Mr. Baidoo said his office has therefore made an appeal to NADMO headquarters in Accra and the Ghana Red Cross Society for assistance.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kwesi Awhoi has denied claims by the deputy minister.