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2013: Mahama hot over "GHC47m Guinea Fowls flew to Burkina" scandal

26th March 2024 5:00:22 PM

2 mins read
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President John Mahama has instructed the Minister responsible for Development Authorities at the Presidency, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed, to provide the Chief of Staff with a detailed report on the GH¢47 million Guinea fowl and afforestation projects within a two-week timeframe.

The Asongtaba guinea fowl project has utilized GH¢15 million, while GH¢32 million has been allocated to the afforestation project, yet there is no evidence of the planted trees.

A statement from the Presidency, signed by Dr. Raymond A. Atuguba, Executive Secretary to the President, announced that the report would be compiled in collaboration with the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) Board to address concerns regarding the controversial projects in the Northern region.

This directive followed pressure from a civil society group called Transparency and Accountability Forum (TAF), which challenged President Mahama to clarify his connection to the AGAAMS Group of Companies. The AGAAMS Group, which includes Rlg and Asongtaba, is working with SADA on the multi-million Ghana cedi guinea fowl and afforestation initiatives in the SADA area.

The Presidency's statement was issued in response to a DAILY GUIDE article about TAF's claims linking President Mahama to the AGAAMS Group. The civil society group suggested that the AGAAMS group was benefiting from favorable treatment from the NDC government, citing the allocation of lucrative projects and government contracts to the company.

President Mahama, however, refuted the allegations in a statement released on Sunday, denying any ownership of shares in the AGAAMS Group or any business partnership with the Group.

'This is to clarify that President John Dramani Mahama has no personal or business interest in AGAAMS Group of Companies,' the statement said, adding that 'the Chief of Staff (Prosper Douglas Bani) has already directed the Minister at the Presidency in-Charge of Development Authorities to, in consultation with the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) Board, present a report on the projects that were the subject matter of the said publication'.