Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Andreas Kamasah
Published on 2024-03-05 08:39:00
The Ashaiman Member of Parliament, Ernest Norgbey, representing the Minority, recently addressed the media regarding a controversial issue involving the expenditure of GH¢68.5 million on photocopying services. Norgbey called for a comprehensive investigation by the Special Prosecutor, describing the expenditure as potential corruption and emphasizing the need for accountability. He expressed disbelief over the purported cost of photocopying, stating, “A photocopy to cost GH¢78 per paper, GH¢59.10 per paper, totalling GH¢68.5 million, what are we doing?” The Minority caucus believes that this expenditure warrants scrutiny and action.
In response to the allegations, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, defended the government’s actions during a parliamentary session on March 4. Adutwum disclosed that the funds were used to procure past questions from Messrs Kingdom Books and Stationery at a unit price of GH¢78.00 per paper during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting final-year Senior High School students by providing necessary resources for exam preparation.
According to Adutwum, in 2020, the government procured 568,755 past questions to aid students amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic. Similarly, for the 2021 WASSCE, a total of 446,954 past questions were procured to assist students in their preparations.
Despite the Minister’s explanation, concerns raised by the Minority have not been fully assuaged, as they continue to demand a thorough investigation into the matter. They assert that transparency and accountability must be upheld, especially regarding the management of public funds.
The controversy surrounding the GH¢68.5 million expenditure on photocopying services has sparked a debate within the Ghanaian political sphere. While the government maintains that the funds were used to procure past questions for students during a challenging period, the Minority questions the exorbitant costs and calls for a deeper investigation into the matter.
The issue of accountability and transparency in public spending is a critical concern for many Ghanaians, who expect their elected officials to utilize public funds wisely and ethically. The call for a thorough investigation by the Special Prosecutor reflects a broader desire for oversight and scrutiny of government expenditures to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by the Minority and whether the Special Prosecutor will launch an investigation into the matter. Ultimately, the outcome of this issue will likely have ramifications for public trust in the government’s decision-making and financial management processes.
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