Ghana at 60 committee maintains it relied solely on donations from the private sector for all of its activities…
The committee set up to oversee the activities of this year’s independence celebrations, has provided the nation with a report on expenses made for the grand event. Chairman of the Ghana at 60 committee, Ken Amankwah has said that over GH¢5 million was spent on only March 6 parade to commemorate Ghana’s 60th Independence Anniversary.
He gave the report to Parliament in the presence of the MPs. According to Ken Amankwah, the amount was among other things used to pay for rented cars and hotel accommodation for special guests who attended the anniversary celebration.
He also noted that other funds used for various events as part of the year-long celebration the amount were a statutory allocation to take care of the regular independence day parades. The committee chairman made it clear that Ghana 60 is completely different from Independence day statutory provision which is always done.
Stating clear the records, Mr Amankwah said that government provided GH¢5.26 million for the year-long celebration. The committee he said, has not touched the money. He said that GH¢3.1m of the amount was sourced from Government’s coffers while GH¢2.16m was sourced from the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).
The Chairman of the committee which was constituted to plan and execute all events and projects associated with the anniversary, also made it clear that it did not benefit from the state money.
To prove their integrity, the Ghana at 60 committee had resolved to forfeit allowances that may be due them in the course of carrying out their responsibilities. This was following questions raised among the public regarding the integrity of the committee responsible for this year’s celebrations.
A 30-member committee was inaugurated by President Nana Addo on January 26, 2017, and was tasked with the responsibility of supervising all events and planning processes leading to the celebration.
However, as a result of the fiasco that characterised Ghana @50 celebrations in 2007, during former president Kufuor’s tenure, the 30 slots available in the committee, was feared by many to create room for misappropriation of funds like in 2007.
But the Chairman of the committee, Mr Amankwah said the committee relied solely on donations from the private sector for all of its activities. He also debunked claims that some of the money was given to the Chief of Staff.
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