Minority criticises government over profligate budget
Mr Cassel Ato-Forson, Ranking Member on Finance has described as profligate an amount of GH¢272 million allocated to the Office of the Chief of Staff for the 2018 financial year.
According to him, GH¢100 million out of the amount given for capital expenditure, is to be used for renovation works on the Flagstaff House, the Peduase Lodge and two other government lodges at Cantonment in Accra.
Mr Ato-Forson made the revelation during an interview with the media in Parliament.
The Minority in Parliament described as wasteful the allocation of GH¢1,948,846,372 to the Office of Government Machinery for the 2018 Budget estimates.
According to the Minority the 2017 and 2018 budget allocations to the Office of Government Machinery far exceeds what was allocated in the 2016 budget, which the then opposition NPP criticized.
Mr Ato-Forson said the amount given to the Office of the Chief of Staff is bigger than the budgets allocated to seven economic Ministries, including Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Works and Housing among others.
“GH¢100 million, equivalent to $23 million to renovate the Flagstaff House, the Peduase Lodge and other government lodges, was way too much, where is the priority of government,” he questioned.
He cited for example the capital expenditure for the Ministries of Health, Water Resource and Sanitation, and Roads as GH¢60 million, GH¢53 million, and GH¢200 miillion respectively, which are less than that of the office of the government Machinery.
Mr Ato-Forson said the previous administration moved to the Flagstaff House in 2013 and the Peduase Lodge was also renovated not long ago, so he does not see why such a huge amount is being allocated for the renovation of the facilities within this short time.
“They claim they are protecting the public purse, Mr President you are not protecting the public” he added.
He said the Minority would continue to scrutinise government expenditure and ensure accountability for the people Ghana.
Source: GNA