Statement: AFAG questions $20-million NDC HQ project

The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) is surprised at the long silence of anti-corruption agencies, civil societies and the media on the erection of a multimillion dollar edifice at Adabraka, a suburb of Accra which is intended to be the new NDC party headquarters.

Though AFAG is not against the acquisition of assets by any political party, the development of this structure at a time that, the ordinary Ghanaian is struggling to make ends meet vis-a-vis the high unemployment levels is absolutely not correct, and a travesty of justice to the Ghanaian tax payer be it directly or indirectly.

The Alliance for Accountable governance, recall vividly not so long ago, where the NDC General Secretary explained why he could not submit audited accounts of his party to the electoral commission because of the lack of adequate financial resources to hire an external auditor. On this account, it is worrisome to see to the near completion of this modern office which is estimated at $20 Million (300 billion old Ghana Cedis).

As a group that promotes public interest and believes in Accountable governance, the rapid development of this huge multi-purpose underground edifice within one year, raises some questions which AFAG considers essential, and of public interest for the NDC party to answer. As a group we shall like to know;

· If this was constructed on the premise that, some individual or company will be fronting as owners of this multimillion dollar project for the NDC?

· Why China state construction company remain the construction firm for the project?

· The link between the NDC Government and the construction of the edifice?

· The source of funding, and reasons behind the sudden and rapid development of this structure in less than a year?

· If the NDC party is involved in any commercial venture or otherwise which is unknown to the public?

In furtherance to the above and in the spirit of promoting the interest of Ghanaians, AFAG would like all other civil societies interested in transparency and accountable governance to join in the search for answers to the questions asked as above.