The history of Ghana in the management of public funds and resources during national emergencies or disasters has been one which is mostly characterized by corruption, mismanagement and misappropriation.
Reports on various expenditures on many of the events in the past have revealed grand corruption, abuse use of resources by state institutions and procurement breaches and bidding by state institutions.
The Auditor General’s Report on the Government of Ghana’s expenditure on COVID-19 gives credence to the above assertion.
For instance, the Auditor General’s Report on the Government of Ghana’s expenditure on COVID-19 observed that in 2020, 102 payment vouchers were used in disbursing over GH¢231 million to service providers for the provision of hotel accommodations, evacuation of Ghanaians, supply of fuel and transfer of funds to MDAs outside the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform.
Again, the report found that the Ministry of Health, on behalf of the Government of Ghana, paid $120.19 million to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and African Union’s African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) for the supply of vaccines, however, 5,109,600 doses of vaccines valued at $38.32 million were supplied to the National Cold Room, leaving a difference of $81.87 million with UNICEF/AVAT.
The list obviously cannot be exhausted as the host of other instances where funds or resources earmarked for victims of disaster or accident have been diverted or squandered.
It is against this backdrop that appropriate steps and measures must be put in place by the government and its agencies to ensure the judicious use of public funds and donor funds earmarked for the flood victims of the Akosombo and Kpong dams’ spillage.
North Tongu MP Leads Accountability Drive of Donor Support To Flood Victims
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudjato Ablakwa has inaugurated an independent team called the ‘Accountability Elders Council to oversee the transparent and accountable management of donations made to his office for the victims affected by the Akosombo dam spillage flood.
The legislator noted that the Council would be responsible for guiding his office on the equitable distribution of donations to all the twenty-one displaced camps and affected households across the North Tongu constituency to prevent any instance of diversion of donor support.
Again, the North Tongu Member of Parliament, Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has published the details of corporate organizations and individuals that have donated to the flood victims in his constituency as part of measures to ensure accountability and transparency on the items donated to his office.
“As transparency, accountability & gratitude demands, here is a publication of the 100 organizations & individuals who have generously donated to VRA-induced flood victims through my office by 3 pm today, the 6th of November, 2023”.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
These initiatives by the North Tongu Member of Parliament are highly commendable and worth emulating.
More importantly, the Government of Ghana, the Volta River Authority and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) must show good leadership in the disbursement and appropriation of both public and donor funds to the flood victims of the Akosombo and Kpong dams’ spillage.
Without accountability measures in place, there is a high risk of favouritism, discrimination, or corruption, which can result in some individuals or communities receiving inadequate support while others receive more than they need.
Additionally, putting in place accountability-appropriate measures is essential for identifying and addressing the specific needs of vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities that may require special assistance.
READ ALSO: North Tongu MP Launches ‘Operation Restore’ To Provide Assistance For Student
