The STC Chief Executive Officer, Nana Akomeah, has described some foreign travels embarked on by government officials under successive administrations as unnecessary
Nana Akomeah stated that some of the trips embarked on by these officials turn out to be unbeneficial to the nation.
Commenting on issues surrounding foreign travels by government officials, both past and present, Nana Akomeah called for an audit into the travel expenses incurred.
According to the STC CEO, the cost of political administrations including travels by government officials; judiciary, parliament, the executive, hotel accommodation, Presidential accommodation must all be audited.
“Let’s look at all of it and we will see there’s work to be done; not just for one regime but cutting across. There’s a lot to be done. Infact, half of the travels are not necessary; what do we get from them? If you like let’s do an audit of all travels and you will find out that a lot of it is not necessary and it’s unbeneficial.”
Nana Akomeah
The STC head averred that the exercise of auditing the travels so far must be done and he doesn’t think any Ghanaian will have a problem with that.
“We can team up with the Auditor General and the media and bring whoever is responsible live on television to answer these question on the travels. You will see we will have some apologizing.”
Nana Akomeah
Probing can provide solution
Nana Akomeah was of the view that if all could come together including some of the politicians to probe this issue, something good may come out to help deal with what he described as the unnecessary travels by some of these government officials.
“This will go a long way to help the nation. I quite remember the Chief Justice set up a special court for the auditor general to enable the prosecution of those found to have mishandled public funds. I don’t remember any case being taken to the special court. It’s been years and still there’s been no case taken to the court.”
Nana Akomeah
The STC CEO averred that it is a worrying issue and the nation has to come together to bring a solution to.
“And you can’t say we shouldn’t pay tax. Let’s pay the tax but let’s be emphatic on the fact that we need a solution to the corrupt acts with regards to how public funds are used.”
Nana Akomeah
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been criticizing the ruling government over the cost of travels of President Akufo-Addo.
General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, claimed the controversial e-levy will only be used to hire luxurious private jets for the President.
“I am disappointed in this Nana Addo-led government. The public show of opulence at the expense of the poor Ghanaian taxpayer is insulting. He has failed to be frugal with our monies when it comes to his foreign trips.”
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah
Even though Nana Akomeah believes Asiedu Nketiah’s statement has no basis, he believes the issue of foreign travels can be looked at again.
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