Rumpus over GH¢800,000

The former Member of Parliament (MP) for Krachi, Samson Kwadwo Apraku, has appealed to the Judgment Debt Commission to investigate how the compensation paid to the Dentewieah Clan in the Volta Region in connection with flooded Volta basin was spent.

According to him, a compensation in the sum of GH¢800,000 had been paid to his clan, but has not been utilized for it intended purposes.

The Lead Counsel for the Commission, Dometi Kofi Sorkpor intimated to him that, an amount of GH¢1,161,564.79 (over 11 billion old cedis) had been paid to one Kwame Anane of Dentewiaeh clan, so far as the records of the Commission were concerned.

According to him, the Kwame Anane was chosen by the clan to collect the monies on behalf of the Dentewiaeh. Mr. Apraku responded that part of the money was used to put up a palace and that the rest has still not been accounted. The people did not also respond to a letter he wrote to them enquiring about the whereabouts of the rest of the money and the account has been lodged.

He intimated to the Commission that, majority of the natives of the flooded areas have been kept in the dark and only few people are receiving the compensations in the name of communities and clans. He lamented that, aside being channeled into wrong places, there were so many deductions on their compensations.

Mr. Apraku said, 15% was deducted to the Krachiwura to build a palace, 15% to Kojo Abban & Co, 15% to the Denteh Bosomfo of Dentewiaeh and others which was not right. He described the whole processes as being shrouded in secrecy.

Mr. Dometi, however, told him that, the mandate of the Judgment Debt Commission does not extend into those matters. He nevertheless asked him, as a member of the Dentewiaeh clan, to make an effort to contact the elders to find out whether the money had been put into proper use.

Meanwhile the Commission is scheduled to end its public proceedings this week. Sitting continues today.