NDC & NPP at war over missing funds

The haggle over alleged missing funds at the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) between the NDC and NPP raged on with the latter accusing and the former refuting, at two separate press conferences held in Tema.

Mr. Ishmael Ashitey, Member of Parliament for Tema East contended that in spite of the presentation of the 723 million cedis of the Poverty Alleviation Fund, Nii Armah Ashietey, Metropolitan Chief Executive still has to answer what he called the balance of about 150 million cedis that had not been accounted for.

On the Tema International Trade Center (TITC) project, the MP said the Tender Board, of which he was a member, approved of 298 million cedis for the fence wall, the three gates and the central pavilion. He said he was, therefore, surprised when Ms Beatrice Naa Afieya Ashong said in Parliament that the project cost 1.2 billion cedis. Mr. Ashitey said the TMA did not follow the guidelines on the award of contract, and further alleged that there was no budget allocation for the TEXPO project.

The MP said he was surprised to see in the 1998 budget review in November, the "miraculous" appearance of 600 million cedis for TEXPO, which was reviewed to 1.2 billion cedis. He questioned if the TMA had the authority to vary the project cost. On his suspension from the assembly for two sessions, the MP flanked by Mr. Abraham Ossei Aidoo, MP for Tema West, also a lawyer, said they are preparing to take TMA to court for that action, adding, "We have given the necessary notice to the Ministry of Local Government".

Mr. Emmanuel Adzei Annang, NDC Municipal Co-ordinator said that the NDC is alarmed at "intentions of the Tema East MP meant to score political gains", but cautioned that the spate of distortions and half-truths "are a threat to the municipality". He declared, "We vehemently object to the divisive political acrobatics of the Honorable MP, and we have noted that he is dangerously orchestrating to drag some members of his constituency into an unholy confrontation with TMA".

Mr. Annang referred to the 'Free Press' newspaper publication of August 20, captioned "Home support for Tema MP," which he said implied that the MP was ready to flex muscles. "We want to make it clear that if Tema East NPP wants to issue ultimatums to intimidate TMA to reverse its legitimate suspension of Mr. Ashitey, it should do so without raising the concerns of the entire membership of the municipality". He said majority of the people in the municipality has come to appreciate the democratic efforts and stewardship of Nii Ashietey, and his team.