Ayerh Kofi Zhando, Assembly Member for the Odumase North Electoral Area within the Lower Manya-Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region, has hinted of massive corruption in the Assembly.

The Assembly Member, who is also a member of the Finance and Administration (F&A) Committee of the Assembly, described the level of corruption as unacceptable and unfortunate.

According to him, he could not understand why the leadership of the Assembly would keep complaining of no money any time there was the need for them to make money available for one project or the other.
This, according to the district level legislator, is because, as far as he was concerned, the Assembly collects tolls and taxes from the residents and traders on a daily basis.

Highlighting some of the corrupt practices at the Assembly, the Odumase North Assembly Member, popularly known as 'Calm Waters', mentioned that revenue generated from the conveyance charges of GH¢50 per haulage truck for carting limestone from Odugblase, since 2014, could not be accounted for.

Mr. Zhando indicated that the Assembly can also not account for the usage of the 2015 Common Fund, as well as the 2% share of the Common Fund for people living with disabilities since 2013.

He further accused the Assembly of misappropriating the 2% share of the Common Fund meant to strengthen the operations and functions of the Zonal Councils since he assumed office.

But, what appears to have broken the camel's back was the procurement of liquid soap at the cost of GH¢1,000, but which was pegged at GH¢2,400, and also, three laptop computers, purchased at a whooping price of GH¢2,100, and to add salt to an injury, all the computers cannot be traced.

Also included is the housing of some national security operatives in a hotel for about a week at the cost of GH¢62,000 among others.

To this, the Assembly Member said he wrote to the Assembly three months ago to demand accountability on the expenditure and debt rate of the Assembly since the Municipal Chief Executive took over, but he couldn’t provide answers to the letter.

The Odumase North Assembly Member has, therefore, given the Assembly up to Tuesday November 8, 2016, to respond to the letter, else he would drag it to Economic and Crime Office (EOCO) for financial scrutiny.

The F&A Chairman of the Assembly, Mohamed Alhassan Siba, when contacted, confirmed what Mr. Zhando said, and assured the general public of his readiness and commitment to expose any member of the Assembly.

Ghanaian Chronicle