According to the GhanaWeb article. Cecilia Dapaah, the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, has strenuously refuted allegations that $43 million set aside for dredging the Odaw River in Accra was misused. In a statement sent by her spokesperson, Kofi Mensah, Dapaah branded the claims as absolutely false and damaging to her image.
The $42.2 million in question is part of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, a large-scale attempt to improve trash management and infrastructure in Accra. According to Mensah, this project aims to make Accra one of Africa's cleanest cities by tackling trash management, drainage, and urban infrastructure concerns. Mensah stressed that the money are still under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and have not been exploited in any way.
"The allegations that the funds were misappropriated are completely false," Mensah informed the crowd. "The GARID Project is an important program that incorporates both local and international consultants, and the money granted are meant to provide the services required to improve Accra's sanitation and infrastructure. All processes are transparent and aligned with the project's objectives."
Mensah advised the public to report any issues they had to the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources for additional clarity. He also underscored the Ministry's continuous commitment to ensuring that monies are properly used for the stated purpose of enhancing the city's waste management systems.
Mensah addressed not only the financial claims, but also rumors that Dapaah had fled the country. He fiercely denied these allegations, indicating that Dapaah has been in Ghana for the previous two years. Mensah also pointed out that the former minister had recently attended funerals in Kumasi, contradicting claims that she had fled the nation under questionable circumstances.
"We are deeply disappointed by the circulation of such baseless rumors," Mensah told me. "Cecilia Dapaah has not left the country, and we urge the public to refrain from spreading false information that only serves to damage her reputation."
The statement from Dapaah's spokesperson is part of a bigger attempt to address persistent concerns about the use of public monies and ensure transparency in government initiatives. The GARID Project, which has sparked widespread public attention due to its scope and potential influence on the city's infrastructure, continues to be scrutinized. However, the Ministry insists that it is committed to achieving the project's objectives and ensuring that all resources are used properly.
As suspicions about the Odaw River dredging and the GARID Project circulate, Dapaah and her team are advocating for a better knowledge of the processes involved in such large-scale endeavors, as well as an end to the circulation of unconfirmed assertions.