30.2 C
Accra
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
FeaturesPresident Akufo-Addo’s elephantine, wrongful and unconscionable US$48m operational expenses for the 13th...

Date:

President Akufo-Addo’s elephantine, wrongful and unconscionable US$48m operational expenses for the 13th African games – Ablakwa writes

1. Even before the dust settles on the scandalous US$8.5million AFCON budget brouhaha; unimpeachable, unassailable and incontrovertible intercepted documents in my possession reveal for the first time that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his appointees at the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have shockingly agreed to spend an elephantine, wrongful and unconscionable US$48million on so-called “operational expenses” for the 13th African Games to be hosted in Ghana between the period — March 5 to March 23, 2024. [Refer to intercepted documents attached] 

2. It must be noted that this staggering US$48million is an entirely different amount from the mega US$195million (GHS2.4billion) already spent on infrastructure for the games. 

3. At the prevailing exchange rate, US$48million is equivalent to a colossal GHS602million. 

4. A careful reading of the intercepted February 13, 2024 letter signed by the LOC Executive Chairman, Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare confirms that this ginormous US$48million (GHS602million) will be spent in less than a three week period (18 days). This translates into a 6-day weekly expenditure on “operational expenses” of a mind boggling GHS200.6million, and an even more incredible daily “operational expenses” of GHS33.4million. 

5. It is most instructive to note that apart from the blatant profligacy and reckless wastefulness by the leader of a bankrupt, debt-distress IMF bailout country; President Akufo-Addo’s conduct is absolutely wrong because Parliament approved GHS100million under Goods and Services and then GHS50million for Capital Expenditure for the 2024 expenditure by the Ministry of Youth and Sports on the 13th African Games. [see page 230 of 2024 Budget as attached]. It is therefore totally lawless and utterly repugnant for President Akufo-Addo to unilaterally vary by more than six times what Parliament has approved for non-CapEX — that is from GHS100million to GHS602million. 

6. The intercepted documents confirm that despite Parliament’s approval of only GHS100million, President Akufo-Addo instructed the LOC to send out official request letters as recent as February 13, 2024 in which they defy Parliament and communicate their outlandish, unlawful and unjustifiable US$48million (GHS602million). 

7. It is regrettable to note that instead of President Akufo-Addo and his appointees at the Sports Ministry and LOC acknowledging Ghana’s current economic crisis and slashing their ostentatious US$48million (GHS602million) “operational expenses” budget, he rather proceeded to personally chair fundraising meetings on the 6th and 7th of November, 2023 at the Jubilee House with an objective of raising the US$48million (GHS602million). [See evidence of the President’s meetings attached]. 

8. A number of top executives who have received the Akufo-Addo-inspired US$48million (GHS602million) shocking request letter are outraged about the quantum for a broke country and the deliberate refusal to transparently present a breakdown. 

9. Careful analysis of the entities President Akufo-Addo met during his now infamous fundraising engagements show that the President is mainly interested in public funds either by targeting SOEs such as GNPC, Ghana Gas, BOST and GOIL; or by targeting private companies such as MacDan, Zoomlion, MODEC and Kosmos all noted for executing huge government contracts. 

10. Additionally, the President’s conduct raises fundamental ethical questions: how did the President select these companies? What promises did President Akufo-Addo make to these CEOs? How can other companies compete fairly with these “presidential companies” in any competitive bidding process, particularly considering the current single-source procurement epidemic? After these companies present their US$5million sponsorship cash to the President’s

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

BECE graduate allegedly killed by 3 teen girls; suspects arrested

Three teenage girls are in police custody for their...

NDC’s Osman Ayariga becomes a Chartered Architect

The Deputy National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic...

Power sector not as robust as we need it to be – ACEP Director

The Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy...

A-G seemingly chides Speaker in vacant parliamentary seats case at Supreme Court

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame,...

A-G calls for a reform of laws governing arbitration to avert economic collapse

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, has indicated...

Angels were in my room while I was recording my hit song, ‘On God’ – Shatta Wale

Ghanaian dancehall artist Shatta Wale recently claimed that angels...

Related stories

Bright Simons: World Bank Funding of Credit Scoring & Fintech falters in Ghana

One effect of Ghana becoming a “lower middle income...

What happens when a presidential candidate dies in Ghana?

The sudden passing of Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) presidential...

Impact of agric exports on Ghana’s economy and the threat of Galamsey

Agricultural exports play a crucial role in Ghana's economy....

4 reasons parents face prosecution for crimes committed by underage children

In a growing trend across various jurisdictions, parents and...

44 COMMENTS

  1. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an really long
    comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say fantastic blog!

  2. Unquestionably believe that that you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the simplest factor to consider of.
    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed whilst other folks think about concerns that they just don’t
    recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail
    upon the highest and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , other people can take a
    signal. Will probably be again to get more. Thank you

  3. Hello! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4!
    Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!
    Carry on the superb work!

  4. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before
    but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to
    me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

  5. hi!,I like your writing so much! percentage we keep up a
    correspondence extra about your article on AOL?
    I need an expert in this house to resolve my problem. May be that’s you!
    Looking ahead to look you.

  6. Superb blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
    I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get opinions from other experienced
    individuals that share the same interest. If you have any
    suggestions, please let me know. Thanks a lot!

  7. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles?

    I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. But think about if you added
    some great photos or video clips to give your posts
    more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and video
    clips, this website could definitely be one of the best in its niche.
    Amazing blog!

  8. I’m really impressed with your writing talents and also with
    the structure in your weblog. Is that this a paid topic or did you customize it
    your self? Either way stay up the excellent quality writing,
    it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today..

  9. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything.
    Nevertheless think of if you added some great images or video clips
    to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is
    excellent but with pics and clips, this website could definitely
    be one of the most beneficial in its field. Wonderful blog!

  10. Howdy! This post couldn’t be written any better!

    Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He continually kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward this article to him.
    Fairly certain he’ll have a great read. Thanks for sharing!

  11. This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.

    I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more
    of your great post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!

  12. Hey there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog
    before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and
    I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!

  13. After going over a handful of the blog posts on your web page, I honestly appreciate your way of
    blogging. I saved it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future.
    Please check out my website too and tell me what you think.

  14. Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a
    sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is
    completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  15. hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve certainly picked up something new from right here.
    I did however expertise some technical points using this website,
    since I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get
    it to load properly. I had been wondering
    if your web host is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times
    will often affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.

    Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and could look out for a lot more of your respective
    intriguing content. Make sure you update this again soon.

  16. What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve
    found It positively useful and it has aided me out loads.
    I’m hoping to contribute & help other users like its aided me.
    Good job.

  17. I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic.
    I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
    Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  18. I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I’m not
    sure whether this post is written by him
    as no one else know such detailed about my trouble.
    You are amazing! Thanks!

  19. Excellent blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!
    What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here