According to A.B.A Fuseini, the member of parliament for Sagnarigu in the Northern Region, the minority would exert pressure on the government to demand transparency regarding the COVID-19 budget.
Only 25%, or GH$5.5 million, of the US$2.5 billion mobilized for the fight against the pandemic was used on health, according to the Auditor General’s 2020 report on the government’s Covid-19 expenditure.
The remaining funds were used to fund government initiatives like LEAP and Free SHS, among others.
The lawmaker claimed that the administration will have to be transparent about the plundered cash in an interview with Citi News about certain measures the minority will take during the third session of the eighth Parliament.
“I am sure that you have seen the works of the minority through the work of the Auditor General’s report, in which there has been massive corruption with COVID-19 funds. The NPP government has looted the funds and sharing among their supporters. This is one of the urgent matters the House will be pursuing when it resumes. I can assure you that it is going to be fireworks.”
Additionally, part of the money was used for unauthorized expenses or unfulfilled purchases.
Thus, it was advised that these sums be returned to the state in the audit report by the auditor general.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by the minority caucus in Parliament, has already announced that it will hold a public hearing today, Tuesday, February 7, 2023, followed by a roadshow to educate Ghanaians about the government’s spending on COVID-19 and the current economic situation.
The party claims that in order to discuss the ramifications of the COVID-19 expenditure during the public hearing, it will involve both the finance and health committees.
The action was taken in response to several violations noted in the Auditor General’s report on government COVID-19 expenditures.
Credit: Citinewsroom
