NPP angry over Government's 3 billion old cedis transition expenditure

Mills promised to cut down on profligate expenditure and operate a lean government

The Minority in Parliament has expressed disgust over what they describe as the reckless waste of resources by the government's transition team.

A whooping GH¢361,924,41 or an equivalent of more than 3.6 billion old cedis was spent by the 150 member transition team whose work lasted close to two months.

Addressing members of Parliament on Wednesday, Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor said the total expenditure is in four categories including per diems, stationary, and refreshment. Over GH¢ 135,316 or 1 billion cedis was spent on refreshment.

This the minority says is ridiculous, unacceptable and unethical coming from a government which has sworn to provide a lean government and to cut down on profligate spending.

In an interview with Joy News' Evans Mensah, MP for Okre, Daniel Botwe slammed the government for the expenditure describing it as insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians.

He was particularly incensed with the expenditure incurred on refreshment at a time government's transition were accusing the previous government of leaving behind a 'broke' economy.

Mr. Botwe lamented over the sense of sacrifice which he said has been lost on politicians.

“We all have been campaigning seriously before the last elections .I don't think they were paying themselves ¢13 million a month when they were campaigning. They thought that they were sacrificing for the party, so why couldn't they have an extension of that in government.

“You have even won power. You were in the process of forming government so why would you have to pay yourself this per diem and later spend 1 billion three hundred and fifty million for refreshment for a country that is broke?”

He called for sincerity from government, adding the call to duty must be public service.

But government denies engaging in profligate spending.

According to Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa the per diem was after a thorough consultation, and a slash of 20 per cent of the existing expenditure paid to ex-government officials.

“When it came to remuneration, we decided to write to the budget officer at the castle to find out the committees of this nature what their charges are so that we will not be paying people without following the laid down convention.”

According to him, 20 per cent was slashed from the amount provided as charges taken under the erstwhile NPP regime.

On the seemingly expensive expenditure on refreshment, the deputy minister noted the amount covers coupons given to journalists public officials for lunch and other.

He said the team had to cancel the initial breakfast provided to cut down cost.

“It is not as if the figure is only for the incoming government officials who squandered all this money. It includes a whole gamut of people,” he stressed.

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline