The Ekumfi Youth Association has called for immediate action against individuals involved in the misappropriation of the District Assembly’s Common Fund to prevent others from engaging in similar acts and to ensure the district’s development.
The Association expressed shock upon learning about the misappropriation of GH₵690,000, which accounts for 40% of the Common Fund allocated to the Ekumfi District, as revealed during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sitting on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
Officials of the Assembly were questioned on the misappropriation of the funds.
This was stated in a press release issued on behalf of the Association and signed by Joseph Cobbina, General Secretary; John Abakah, President; and Aboradze Kwamina, Patron, and copied to the media.
The PAC noted that, by law, the Assembly is required to spend only 10% of its share of the Common Fund on administrative expenses. However, the office spent an additional 30%, which should have been allocated for development projects.
“We acknowledge that the said amount was purposely used to run the Assembly, which has been affirmed by the leadership. However, we consider the decision for using that amount for recurrent expenditure as unfortunate and a purposeful bid to deprive the good people of Ekumfi development,” the statement said.
The dismay expressed by PAC Chairman Mr. James Klutse Avedzi underscored the seriousness of the issue, the statement said.
“Frankly, as youth, we are deeply saddened and dismayed at our leaders for allowing this infringement to occur and we blame them for our district’s underdeveloped,” the statement said.
The Association affirmed its support for the committee’s recommendations to hold accountable those involved in the infractions.
It urged the government to promptly establish an independent body to conduct a full-scale investigation into the matter and set timelines to compel those responsible to refund the money.
This would enable the Assembly to use the funds for the development of the area and to improve the lives of its residents.