Madam.Cecilia Dapaah
Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, has refuted allegations that allowances captured in 2019 budget for the ministry was meant for her clothing and entertainment allowances.
Mr Sampson Ahi, a Ranking Member of the Works and Housing Committee was alleged to have stated that the allowances were allocated for Mrs Dapaah’s clothing and entertainment.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Monday, the minister noted that she does not receive entertainment and clothing allowances.
“I, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, I am not in any way and by any stretch of imagination benefitting or getting any budget allocation for clothes and entertainment as the MP for Bodi, Sampson Ahi, alleges”.
Mrs Dapaah described the allegations by Mr Ahi, a former deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing as malicious and defamatory propaganda meant to attack her hard-won reputation.
“His allegations are misplaced, a set of wicked lies, malicious, defamatory and propaganda meant to attack my hard won reputation and integrity.”
She has therefore given Mr Ahi, who is the law maker for Bodi, in the Western Region, 48 hours to apologise and withdraw the defamatory remarks, failing which she would take legal action.
She said that the expenditure items as listed in the budget of the ministry are benefits provided to public service officers within, including chief directors and senior officers.
According to Mrs Dapaah, these benefits, which include fuel, vehicle, housing or accommodation, utilities (electricity, water and telephone) domestic/house help, entertainment are not peculiar to only the Ministry of Sanitation, but to all ministries, agencies and departments.
The minister reminded Mr Ahi that the allowances he referred to were officially approved by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and communicated to all Metropolitan/Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) by the Ministry of Finance.
Touching on the GH¢89,000.00 allocated for personal emolument on the recruitment of security personnel, Mrs Dapaah explained that the amount was allocated to four environmental health and sanitation officers.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
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