I played no role in cash-for-seat event - Controller and Accountant General

The Controller and Accountant General has declined to respond to questions about the use of funds raised for the 2017 Ghana Expatriate Business Awards, saying he is not privy to that.

Eugene Asante Ofosuhene told the Cash-for-seat Committee Thursday, he could not respond to matters about GEBA funds because he was not involved in the organization.

The Special Investigative Committee is probing the alleged sale of presidential seats to some expats at the event.

Trades Minister Alan Kyeremanten has said no money was extorted from the expatriate business community, claiming monies paid were donations.

But the Minority in Parliament has a different opinion. They have accused the Ministry of breaching provisions of the New Public Financial Management Act (PFMA), ACT 921 with the way it raised the funds.

The Committee has already met at least seven people including Minority Chief Whip Muntaka Mubarak, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as well as Trades Minister Alan Kyeremanten all of whom have given their statements.

[L-R] President Akufo-Addo, Interplast CEO Mr Fahkry and Trades Minister Alan Kyeremanten at GEBA

Although the Controller and Accountant General said he was aware of the programme, he said he was not part of the organisers.

“I was not part of whatever happened at Ministry of Trades and Industry (MOTI),” Mr Asante Ofosuhene said.

The chief government accountant said documents presented to him after the event showed all the money was disbursed except GHS299,000, which has been left in the account.

He said if he had been consulted he would have advised Mr Kyeremanten to open a separate account to collect the monies instead of using the Ministry’s Internally Generated Funds (IGF) account.

He was emphatic the money collected from the expats was not a levy, explaining levies are charges tied to a service or product.

Sending a message to all accountants at the various ministries, Mr Asante Ofosuhene said anyone caught to have circumvented the law in the disbursement of government funds will be dealt with.

“I believe in transparency and I have told my men to do the right thing,” he told Committee.

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