The Centre undertook a monitoring exercise to assess, in particular, the level of stakeholder awareness and knowledge about the IPEP intervention and the work of the 10 member regional ad-hoc committees set up to
undertake the constituency needs assessment.

It has so far compiled a report which’s findings concentrated on three thematic areas comprising the level of
stakeholders awareness and knowledge about the IPEP policy and intervention, observation of the activities of
the 10 member Regional Ad-hoc committees and validation and reporting of District/Constituency Infrastructure Needs Assessment.

A Senior Research Fellow with the CDD-Ghana, Dr Kojo Asante, at the report’s official launch in Tamale, told Citi News on the sidelines that the Centre’s major concern is to avoid reports of financial misappropriation that characterized the implementation of projects earmarked for the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA).

“This report views and gives early warnings to government prior to the implementation of the program. This is a rare
opportunity for us to start with the program so that we can give early warnings about things that are not right and
correct them before it gets worse.”

He reaffirmed CDD-Ghana’s commitment to hold political office holders accountable for their stewardship.

“Early warnings will be sent to duty bearers. We will want to create a framework where we will get accurate information and demand action… We don’t want politicians to capture the projects for their political gains,” Dr. Asante cautioned.

Dr. Kojo Asante emphasized that, “this will also ensure that the objectives of the projects are met. So we think this is a unique opportunity for us to do this and that is why we took an interest in this very early and the whole idea of also
sharing the early information is that we want to give early warnings so that we can correct ourselves in time before we really get too far in terms of disbursing monies.”

The governing New Patriotic Party in their 2016 campaign manifesto pledged to allocate $275 million of the national capital expenditure through the IPEP to
expand and improve on existing capital structures at the district and constituency levels.

This is to accelerate growth, create jobs and reduce poverty particularly in rural and deprived communities.
Government in 2017 inaugurated a 30-member team to lead the implementation of the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme in Northern Ghana.

It was mandated to conduct community needs assessment in all constituencies in the three regions of the north.

The IPEP encompasses the one-district-one factory, one-village-one dam, one-constituency-US$1million and one-district one warehouse among other pro-poor programmes enshrined in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2016 manifesto.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post CDD-Ghana begins policy tracker on poverty eradication program appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

There were media reports that the amount was unaccounted for and was being investigated by the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) but SADA in a statement said it reported the case to EOCO because efforts to have Unik Savannah rectify some “irregularities” identified in the programme failed.

[contextly_sidebar id=”56CTjIQOFxG9loxsg7SLPPnC7thODU8e”]Under the programme some 2,157 tricycles were to be imported and assembled by Unik Savannah in 2015 and sold to residents within the SADA zone on hire purchase payable within two years.

The programme was aimed at creating an employment opportunities for the youth within the SADA zone.

Earlier reports suggested that about GHc33 million was supposed to be realized by SADA after the two year period but as at July 2016 only a little over GHc1 million was paid them by Unik Savannah.

“A few months into the operations, however, SADA realised that there were some irregularities around the business. Subsequently, its Board of Directors, with the consent of the Unik Savannah Ltd. Board of Directors, appointed an independent firm to undertake a review of the operations and to advice on the way forward,” the statement signed by management of SADA stated.

The statement added that “following the review and several failed efforts to have the management of Unik Savannah Ltd. rectify the problems identified, the SADA Board felt compelled to refer the matter to the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO), the specialized agency of government with the mandate   to monitor, investigate and prosecute any offence arising from such matters.”

SADA further noted that beyond the EOCO investigation, an inter-ministerial committee constituted earlier in 2017 over the issue provided guidance as to how the remaining tricycles could be better managed and the outstanding debts collected adding that “an interim management committee has began implementing these recommendations.”

“Without prejudice to EOCO’s work, it is worth emphasizing that it was SADA that detected the irregularities in the operations of the company, took steps to have them properly evaluated and subsequently reported the matter to EOCO in accordance with the law,” SADA added.

It further assured that public of its alertness in protecting the public purse at all times.

“While we wait the EOCO findings, we wish to assure the public that we are alert to the protection of the integrity of the Authority and the protection of public funds.”

SADA, a social intervention porgramme failed to produce the needed results in the past because of cases of mismanagement and corruption which saw the laudable initiative lose millions of Ghana cedis.

This forced former President John Dramani Mahama to replace its chief executive as well as the board.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post SADA chases private firm for GHc32m debt appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Investigations conducted by The Finder indicate that out of the 2,157 tricycles that were given out on hire purchase with a unit price of GH₵15,600, only 80 have been fully paid for.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gErrPdgJ5658gTHTDpNLtFdt68SI4HAs”]The total value of these tricycles, payable in two years, is said to be GH₵33,649,200. However, only GH₵1,258,271 was paid for, with an outstanding GH₵32,390,929 yet to be accounted for as of July, 2016.

Documents in the possession of The Finder reveal that Unik Savannah was formed as a joint venture between SADA and Unik Dezines Limited with a 40 and 60 per cent equity share respectively.

Per the original arrangement, SADA was to provide a financial guarantee (letter of credit) of $9 million for the purchase of the 5,000 tricycles, 800 motorbikes and 480 crash helmets while Unik Dezines was to provide funds for the operation.

However, it later turned out that SADA went ahead to pay fully for the consignment.

The Finder’s investigations reveal that the tricycles and motorbikes started arriving in Tamale from China, the country of origin, in June 2015 and distribution started on August 31, 2015 until December 24, 2015 when the company was asked to stop work for an audit.

SADA response

When The Finder contacted the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SADA, Charles Abugri, on the matter, he said he was indisposed and thus referred this paper to speak one Malam Suleimana, a consultant of Unik Savannah Limited in Tamale.

When contacted, Mr Suleimana, confirmed the story but said there were a number of reviews of the processes along the way.

“The document you have is from somewhere last year. Obviously, the situation in terms of payment has changed so what you have is not the correct picture,” he explained.

He said there has been a review of the process and pleaded with The Finder to give Unik Savannah some time to finalise its documentation and furnish the paper with the current figures.

“There has been a review of the process and we have advertised for debt collection companies to come in. So we are in the process of finalising the compilation status. That is what will be given to the debt collection companies so I wouldn’t want to guestimate at this stage,” Suleimana indicated.

EOCO takes up the matter

The Finder can, however, report that the matter is currently at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for further investigations.

Information gathered by The Finder also indicates that some aggrieved youth in the Northern Region are reported to have taken the matter to the Minister for Special Development Initiatives, Ms Mavis Hawa Koomson, for action to be taken on the matter.

It is learnt that the Ministry has set up an Adhoc Committee to take stock of the tricycles and motorcycles that were distributed, what was left and to make recommendations as part of the restructuring of Unik Savannah Limited.

–

Source: Raju Parwani & Gloria Kyeremeh/Finder

The post SADA rot: Over GHc32m unaccounted for appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The machines include thirteen sets of maize milling machines, two sets of soya milling machines and one set of millet milling machine with a capacity of processing one tonne per hour.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Sun Baohong said the gesture was aimed at boosting government’s flagship programs in agricultural development in the country.

“The Ghanaian government has launched the initiatives such as “one District one Dam, one village one dam and planting for food and jobs. These have demonstrated the government’s great attention on agricultural modernization. She said

The Ambassador added that “over the years, China and Ghana have conducted win-win and fruitful cooperation in Agriculture. As an important partner, China will strengthen cooperation with Ghana in Agriculture in the future”

The Minister for special Development Initiative Hawa Koomson receiving the items on behalf of government lauded the efforts of the Chinese government in the development of agriculture in the country.

“I believe that this grant from The People’s Republic of China is a testimony of the growing strategic collaboration between our two countries. I was privileged to be part of the Vice president’s delegation to China, I was warmly received in China and had the opportunity to visit the Wuzheng Industrial enterprise zone.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority Charles Abugri pledged that the equipment will be used for the intended purpose.

He further said that his outfit has transformed over the years and therefore called on the public to cultivate a positive mindset about the authority.

About SADA

There is a Bill currently before Parliament to create three development authorities, namely Northern, Middle Belt and Coastal belt. The restructuring will include Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) to the Northern Development Authority (NDA), this will be aimed at uplifting people from poverty and also minimize inequality among socioeconomic groups in the three regions.

To achieve this target, A 10-member regional teams for the Implementation of the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions were inaugurated in Tamale.

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By: Seidu Shieba Anass/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post China supports ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ with processing equipment appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Auditor General to, with immediate effect, begin surcharging persons found to have misappropriated monies belonging to the state.

The order was made following a suit filed by Pressure Group, Occupy Ghana in June 2016.

[contextly_sidebar id=”N8VKosgF5fLF19DUKYMwyGa6UTrbUX4r”]Occupy Ghana was seeking an order directing the Auditor-General to issue disallowances and surcharges to and in respect of all persons and entities found in successive audit reports to have misappropriated state funds.

Occupy Ghana had explained that it sued the Auditor General for refusing to surcharge persons who are said to have misappropriated monies belonging to the state to the tune of over GHc40 billion.

Speaking to Citi News, a leading member of Occupy Ghana, Sydney Casely-Hayford explained that the order by the Supreme Court also gives away private firms who have illegally benefited from monies belonging to the state.

Casely-Hayford whose pressure group has pursued the case against the Auditor General since 2014 said the Supreme Court was“very emphatic in granting all our reliefs that, the Auditor General must apply the disallowance and surcharges [powers], collect all monies owed to the government under his authority and this extends not only to government officials, it also extends to people in the private sector who have been found culpable in collecting the money.”

“Every year the Auditor General does its audit and then produces a report. It was through that report that we were able to pick up the SADA, GYEEDA and all other corruption issues that have come up. In the past, all of these have been left because he just presents his report but now he is under legal obligation to prosecute all the officials involved in any of such activities. So in the case of GYEEDA, he would have to go to all those private sector people who were given contracts and never delivered the contracts and collect the monies that have been dissipated… He will refer all that to the Attorney General and the Attorney General must prosecute within the law,” he added.

Scandals

A number of corruption scandals have been recorded in the country in the last few years which involved public officials and private companies benefiting from state monies for less or no work done.

Some of the scandals include the monies lost to Subah Info Solutions deal, the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Agency (GYEEDA,  the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) and the GHc3.6 million bus branding saga.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Private firms must cough up ‘stolen’ state cash – Occupy Ghana   appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Director of Infrastructure, Lands, Environment and Natural Resources of SADA, Dr. Emmanuel Abeere-tuga, the final feasibility study presented to the World Bank for the commencement of the project in 2016, suffered financial commitment and Environmental impact assessment issues.

The current proposed designs of the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam project includes a 22 megawatts Hydro-electricity generation, an Irrigation facility for  20,000 hectors of arable land,  flood control systems and the provision of water for residents of Walewale at a cost of over US$1,000,000.

But at a stakeholder meeting in Bolgatanga, Mahwash Wasig, World Bank representative of the project, described the over US$1,000,000 current cost of the project as expensive to attract donor funding, hence the need for the scope of the project to be reviewed.

“The construction of the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam project is quite expensive, this you should realize, and that the current design which is a much larger dam, but it will cost close to a billion dollars for Ghana to build. That kind of money, Ghana at the moment doesn’t have, and even we(World Bank) as the financier of the project, will not be able to fully fund the cost.”

“…So we have advised the Volta River Authority (VRA), the consultant tractebel and the AFA (the French) who are financing the feasibility study, to look at a lower height Multi-Purpose Dam, to reduce the critical inundation of  the natural habitat, reduce replacement of the people, and will lower the cost of the project considerably, but will still give you water for 20,000 hectors of land, and will still produce electricity; not the 22MW, but about 18MW of electricity”

Mrs. Wasig indicated that, the construction of the project may commence either in 2018 or 2019, adding that, the final revised feasibility study is expected to be presented to the World Bank by September 2017, subject to approval and release of funds for execution.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari Ayine, said the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam project when completed, will propel the NPP’s government industrialization agenda of drastically reducing youth unemployment.

“The production of tomato from the dam can help revamp the Pwalugu tomato factory which falls in line with government’s industrialization programme. The project will serve as a raw material and power (electricity) for other potential factories under our ‘One Constituency One factory’, that will drive agriculture especially food security, job creation and industrialization.”

Mr. Ayine pledged government’s support for the project, and appealed to the World Bank to support in seeking funding for the realization of the project, and retain its multi-purpose goal.

About the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam

Parliament in 2008 contracted a loan of US$525million from the Brazilian government to construct the Pwalugu Multi-purpose dam, and the Juala dam in the Upper East and Northern regions respectively.

Although Ghana received the money in 2009, government abandoned the projects and diverted the funds for the construction of the Eastern corridor road.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post World Bank urges SADA to revise Pwalugu multi-purpose dam project appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The group, is alleged to have assaulted the officials without provocation.

The injured officials are have been hospitalized in Tamale still receiving treatment.

A statement by the coalition called on the Ministry of Interior to as a matter of urgency investigate and bring to book, persons behind the attack.

“We, the members of the Coalition of SADA Zone Civil Society Organizations drawn from Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions of Ghana are calling on the Government particularly the Interior Minister to, as a matter of urgency, arrest and prosecute members of an alleged NPP youth group in Tamale, Kandahar Boys for violently attacking and assaulting some officials of SADA’s development partners, Unique Savannah for reasons that are unfounded, baseless and without merit.”

The coalition said it believes the attacks were launched over the distribution of some five thousands tricycles meant for distribution to the regions under the SADA ecological zone.

“The facts of the matter are that SADA’s partner, Unique Savannah has about five thousand (5,000) motor tricycles in stock for public private partnership business in the five regions in the northern savannah ecological zone. Northern region alone benefited a total of 2, 000 of these bikes as its share leaving 3, 000 bikes for the remaining 4 regions. On hearing that arrangements have been made by management of Unique Savannah and the Regional Ministers from the other 4 regions to convey their share of the bikes to their respective regions.”,

The coalition said it was worried over what appears to be the silence of government and the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in calling the youth group to order.

“Government’s failure to ruthlessly deal with these militant groups who are terrorizing law abiding citizens and investors seem to suggest that the groups have the blessing and approval of the government to engage in such lawlessness.”

It added that, “By this misconduct, the youth risk eroding the gains made so far by SADA and also has a huge potential of driving away a good number of investors that the new leadership of SADA has brought to invest in the zone for job creation and poverty reduction.”

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post SADA zone CSOs condemn attacks on partners appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The group in a petitioned signed by its Secretary, Shamuna Ghazi alleged that SADA is bedeviled with massive corruption.

According to him, the alleged corruption discovered at SADA under the watch of the Chief Executive Officer, Charles Abugri required thorough investigations.

This comes at the back of similar financial “Malfeasance” uncovered at the Public Utility and Regulatory Commission (PURC).

Shamuna Ghazi made a passionate appeal to the office of the President and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to probe SADA management.

Below is the group’s statement.
PRESS STATEMENT BY NORTHERN YOUTH FOR AKUFO ADDO (NAYONA)

THE ROT AND MALFEASANCE AT SADA, PRESIDENT AKUFFO ADDO AND ECONOMIC AND ORGANIZED CRIME OFFICE (EOCO) MUST COME IN

Ladies and Gentlemen from the press, we are glad that you have made time to cover our maiden press conference.
We invited you here today to express our deepest disquiet about happenings at the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA).

The Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) was established by Act 805, 2010 as an independent and autonomous statutory corporation to “provide a framework for the comprehensive and long-term development of the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone”.

SADA has its constitutional foundations in Article 36 (2) (d) of the Fourth Republican Constitution, which states that “the state is enjoined in the directive principles of state policy to take the necessary steps to establish a sound and healthy economy through the undertaking of even and balanced development of all regions and improvement of conditions of life in the rural areas.

Furthermore, imbalances in the development between the rural and urban areas should be redressed to ensure balanced regional development”.

Ladies and gentlemen, the increasing scandals, malfeasance and other corrupt practices that SADA has been bedeviled with several problems that are of public knowledge which question the running of this great institution.
NAYONA has noted the reckless expenditure and scandalous activities that has taken hold of the current management SADA and the reckless nature with which it is misusing our resources.

It is as a result of this that Northern Ghana is gradually grinding to an economic halt.
There are no support schemes for indigenous businesses not to talk of a very good relationship between the business community and SADA.

The leadership has created a cabalistic system where they do not practice an open door policy, no citizen of Northern Ghana knows what is happening, yet a very beautiful picture is created in the media as if all is well which in truth the current leadership of SADA has never descended from its high administrative pedestals’ to connect with the ordinary citizen within the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone.

SADA TRI-CYCLE PROJECT AND MATTERS ARISING
In 2015, SADA went into a partnership with Unik Designs through the public private partnership (PPP) which they formed Uniq Savannah Limited as a private sector company specialized in the assembling of tri-cycle on hire purchase bases, hey intended to establish a plant in Tamale.

We are aware the company assembled tricycles and other motorbikes for was distributed and it is on record that 5000 tricycles was assembled which about 2500 was distributed.

Management of SADA should answer the following questions:
1. On funding, how much money was used in the establishment of Uniq Savannah, it’s on record that SADA is a partner and guaranteed for a loan facility on behalf of Uniq savannah?

After accessing the loan, what has been Uniq Savannah’s commitment towards settling the debt and from which bank was the loan accessed?

2. Bank of Ghana and ADB Bank played various roles, what roles did they play and what was the results?
3. The 2,500 tricycles that were distributed, how they were distributed and who guaranteed for whom and most importantly what has been the beneficiaries’ commitment?

4. Where is the current management of Uniq Savannah who were they when the company started and what is the current state of affairs of the company with regards to their employees?

5. How much was paid by beneficiaries, and how much has been recovered?

6. Did any political party or Member of Parliament play a role in the distribution of the tricycles and what role did they play?

270 SADA MAHINDRA TRACTORS
In 2012 SADA took delivery of 270 new Mahindra tractors valued at $6,120 million meant to increase agricultural production in the savannah zones and modernize the process to sustain food security but the implementation was marred to challenges. The current leadership of SADA initiated steps to dispose of the tractors. We want an explanation from them how was the tractors sold and how much was realized from the sale and most importantly who supervised the sale?

RENOVATION OF SADA AND FENCING OF NEW SADA OFFICE COMPLEX LAND
After the 7th December, elections in which the NPP was victorious, there was a directive by then leader of the incoming administration transition team in person of Hon. Yaw Osaafo Marfo that no state institution should award contracts which the current SADA leadership ignored and went ahead to award the contract for the renovation of the current SADA Office and the wire fencing of a parcel of land secured for the construction of a new SADA complex directly opposite the Northern Regional police Commander’s residence along the Regional Coordinating Council road.

We believe that these projects should be investigated as it is a deliberate attempt of causing financial loss to the state because very soon the construction of the office complex would start and the wire fence would be removed and moreover the said land is a state land and cannot be encroached on and more so SADA is on a rented building which is owned by the defunct Ghana Cotton Company Limited and we want to know what are the terms and conditions of the rent between SADA and the current owner of the property. We want to know which contractor renovated the rented SADA secretariat and at what cost?

RECRUITMENT OF LEGAL OFFICER AND DIRECTOR
Prior to the December, 7th elections, Lawyer Shaibu Mahama (Obey) was the legal officer/director of SADA and after the elections Lawyer Shaibu was elected as the Member of Parliament for Daboya Constituency and it is on record that no institution should employ anyone but the current management refused and employed a new legal officer/director of SADA.

The processes that led to the recruitment should be investigated.

MISSING COMBINE HARVESTORS

Before the December elections SADA had Six (6) Combine Harvesters and immediately NDC lost the election four (4) of the Combine Harvesters were sold and sent to Kumasi. We want to know who sanctioned the sale and why was it sold at that time and what was the spirit behind the sale.

We call on EOCO to investigate the matter to unravel the mystery behind the sales.
We are disturbed by the current malfeasance and scandalous activities which are grave and sobering and impinge on the integrity not only of the current management but also of the image of the Ghanaian Republic.
These allegations must not be glossed over and brushed under the carpet by the usually lackadaisical or complicit workings of partisan politics.

We call on the President of the Republic, His Excellency President Akufo Addo and the
Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to intervene for an independent investigation into the damning scandalous activities at SADA and a no-holds-barred criminal prosecution of anyone found to be on the wrong side of Ghanaian law in this scandalous development.
Thank you.

Long live H. E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo.
Long live Northern Youth for Nana Akufo Addo
Long live SADA and
God bless Ghana
………… Signed……………
Shamuna Ghazi
(Secretary and Spokesperson)

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Group wants SADA accounts audited appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Chief Executive Officer of SADA, Mr. Charles Abugre who disclosed this on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday explained that the amount is modest looking at the inputs involved adding that the project which will be launched in April 2017 will help double the revenue generated by the assemblies in question.

The novel Property Tax Collection System will be used by the Tamale, Buipe and Sangnerigu assemblie to mobilise levies and other fees from landed property owners in the area.

According Mr. Abugre, SADA will invest about $500,000 into the project while the three assemblies will provide the rest of the funding.

“Our cost is in the technical expertise for developing the project and secondly in the course of collecting the data which is the drone flights and satellite imagery among others. I think all of that on our side will cost about half a million dollars. It is really quite cheap. When it is all finished, when you add up all the district assemblies and all their inputs and time to get it up and running in the way it is in the specification, it will be not more than a million dollars. This is a really cheap investment. If you find out how much it cost to even do the collection of the data under LAP 1 that the World Bank and other paid for, you will find that this is a very modest investment,” he clarified.

The property tax system developed by SADA in collaboration with other institutions is said to be the outcome of a database collection process that began in 2017 and resulted in the registration of all landed properties in the jurisdictions of the three assemblies.

Mr. Abugre further observed that the project if replicated in areas will help district assemblies attain financial independence.

“If you do this in Takoradi, Accra, and in the main towns, you will realize that these districts do not need to be part of the district assemblies’ common fund, they have enough funds they are not collecting, and they should collect it,” the SADA CEO added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post SADA’s property addressing system to cost about $1 million – CEO appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Akufo-Addo made the remark when he was naming his ministerial appointees at the Flagstaff House on Thursday.

SADA, a social intervention porgramme failed to produce the needed results because of mismanagement and corruption which saw SADA lose about GHc32 million.

[contextly_sidebar id=”e3W6nXP9Np3zc5FZJdLn9BlWXnDjCRiO”]This forced former President John Dramani Mahama to replace its chief executive as well as the board.

Nana Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House explained that, he has created a new Ministry – Ministry for Special Development Initiatives with the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson as the nominee tasked with supervising and ensuring the success of some of his social intervention programmes.

“There has to be accountability, we cannot afford the repetition of what happened at SADA. That is not going to happen in Akufo-Addo’s time. And in order to make sure that there is an accountable figure for Parliament, myself and the general public can look to as to how these monies have been spent, to ensure that they have been spent in an intelligent and concerted manner, that’s why we need this ministry.”

Nana Akufo-Addo prior to his election, promised to establish the Zongo Development Authority, Coastal Development Authority and the Middle Belt development Authority, which he said will help champion development in the country.

He has also promised to dispense $1 million to each of the 275 constituencies to help boost development nationwide.

“The development authorities that we intend to set up – the coastal development authority, the middle belt development authority and the northern development authority are going to be the vehicles for dispensing this money,” he added.

The President has so far made 36 ministerial appointments, with seven of them going to work as ministers of state at the presidency.

This means the government will have 29 substantive ministers, heading 29 full-blown ministries.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post I won’t repeat Mahama’s SADA mistakes – Akufo-Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.