According to the Majority, an application has been brought to its attention by the sector minister, Hawa Koomson.

[contextly_sidebar id=”HMMNsmJXnuLtgsT25zOdXOLQT7ZOtBcX”]The application stated that, the budget for the website was supposed to be GHc80,000, and not GHc800,000 as indicated in the ministry’s budget for 2018.

In view of this, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu noted on the floor of Parliament that, the excess allocation of GHc 720,000 will effectively be under the care of the House.

“…Because we have already approved of the figure, what the House should indicate to the Ministry is that, the excesses amount cannot be used by the ministry until she [Hawa Koomson] comes to this House with whatever she wants to apply and that she requires the approval of the House.”

Aside from this, Mr. Mensah Bonsu noted that, “if she uses it [ the excess funds], the Minister Finance, appearing before us in the mid-year review would have to show evidence as to how it has been applied.”

Background

It emerged on Thursday that the Ministry for Special Development and Special Initiatives had budgeted GHc800,000 to build a new website.

The amount, although heavily criticized by the Minority in Parliament, was approved by Parliament.

Following the backlash, the sector minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson, claimed that the GHc800,000 was a typographical error, and that the actual amount was GHc80,000.

The Minority Spokesperson for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, however, called for the immediate resignation of the Minister for Special Development Initiatives, Mavis Hawa Koomson over her display of improper discretion in the allocation of budgetary resources within her ministry.

Despite the correction, Mr. Ato Forson believes the Minister’s statement was merely a reaction to the public outcry and that amount was indeed GH¢800,000.

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By: Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 800k website saga: Majority moves to ‘cut off’ Ghc720, 000 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, her Ministry’s allocation of GH¢800,000 for the development of a website smacks of corruption and must not be encouraged.

It emerged on Thursday that the Ministry for Special Development and Initiatives had budgeted GH¢800,000 of tax payers’ money to build a new website.

The amount, although heavily criticized by the minority in Parliament, was approved by Parliament since the NPP has the majority in the House.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4rF7Q6nk4hIsLybxKe95DNZLgp9wozqx”]But many Ghanaians have taken to social media to criticize the ministry and the minister over the amount which has largely been described as bloated and an overestimation.

Following the backlash, the sector minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson, claimed that the GH¢800,000 was a typographical error, and that the actual amount was GH¢80,000.

But Cassiel Ato Forson believes the Minister’s statement was merely a reaction to the public outcry and that amount was indeed GH¢800,000.

“What we considered at the committee is GH¢800,000, certainly not GH¢80,000. Is the Minister telling me that she is such an incompetent lady to the extent that she couldn’t read and understand her own document?” he said.

He said Hawa Koomson must immediately resign because of her “incompetence” in handling the matter.

He said the Minister “must immediately resign over this is gross incompetence.”

“I don’t think she even deserves to occupy the office as a minister of state. She should go immediately, she doesn’t qualify to occupy that office… This is blatant corruption. It is job for the boys,” he said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 800k website: ‘Incompetent’ Hawa Koomson must resign – Ato Forson appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.