No state cash blown on Gh@60 – Committee

Chairman of the Ghana 60 Years On committee, Ken Amankwah, has contradicted comments made to parliament by Deputy Finance Minister Kweku Kwarteng that GHS5.26million of state funds were used for the Ghana@60 celebrations.

Mr Kwarteng had told parliament on Thursday: “The Ministry of Finance released an amount of GH¢5.26 million towards the celebration of the 60th independence anniversary of Ghana. This was made up of GH¢3.1 million from government of Ghana sources of funding and GH¢2.16 million from the District Assembly Common Fund. Out of the total GH¢5.26 million, GH¢ 3 million went to the office of the Chief of Staff at the Ghana at 60 secretariats while GH¢100,000 and GH¢2.1 million went to the 100 regional coordinating councils and 216 district assemblies respectively.”

Clarifying the issue, however, Mr Amankwah said: “We’ve never relied on the public purse for any of Ghana@60 Years celebration.”

He explained to Accra-based Citi FM that “there are two budgetary allocations. Whether Ghana@60 comes on or not, there is always the celebration of Independence Day. This year only happens to be the 60th anniversary so the budgetary allocation meant for the celebration actually went to the parade of the military, the school children, which occurs every year. It is not true that GHC 3 million came from government.”