The Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mahama Ayariga has appealed to the media to measure their discussions on the operations of Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) in order not to destroy the initiative.
Even though he admitted that SADA has its own challenges, the idea behind its establishment, he insisted, is a noble one and must be supported to succeed.
SADA is an independent agency set up by government to coordinate a comprehensive development agenda for the northern savannah ecological zone comprising mainly the three Northern regions of Ghana – Upper East, Upper West and the Northern.
But its operations have been bedevilled by alleged corruption, improper award of contracts, maladministration among others.
Recently, President Mahama had cause to instruct the SADA board to terminate a GHc47 million guinea fowl and afforestation contracts with a private organisation because the state did not get value for money.
Recent investigations by Joy News have also uncovered alleged financial malfeasance of various degrees at the Authority including wasteful travels and a murky investment deal of GH¢74.5 million raised in an audit report of 2011 to 2013.
Responding to the exposés on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Thursday, the Information Minister begged the media and the general public to tamper their comments in order not to destroy SADA.
“SADA is a major initiative to develop the northern part of Ghana. Apart from trying to use resources made available to it by the government of Ghana, we also want to leverage development partner assistance and then also assistance from the international community and even the private sector to do that.
“We are open to accountability but we appeal that in discussing these issues, let’s discuss them in a fair manner that does not endanger the whole SADA initiatives.
“There could be problems here and there; we will hold all those who are involved accountable if we see any issue of malfeasance but let’s not discuss the issue on SADA in ways that will destroy the initiatives.”
He touted some of the benefits of SADA to residents of three northern regions. For instance, he said about 20,000 farm households in 2013 alone were assisted with tractor services, improved seeds, training of farmers and marketing of their products.
There is no longer shortage of maize on the market, he claimed. Because of SADA interventions the country is self-sufficient so far as maize is concerned, Mahama Ayariga maintained.
He said often people tend to ignore land engineering which is the “most expensive part” of farming and rather focus on the planting which is the “cheapest” in the farming process when discussing monies allocated to any farm project.
Touching on the about GH¢ 226,000 trip to Turkey by three SADA officials, according to the audit report, the Minister disputed the report that the amount covered only three people.
He stated categorically, “I am very firm on that…15 DCE (district chief executives) did go on that particular trip”.
Mr Ayariga claimed the DCEs were exposed to a number of things and also facilitated their sister-city relationships with some Turkish cities.
Also, he claimed the trip afforded the officials the opportunity to enter into discussions with a tractor assembling company in Turkey to set up the assembling plant in Ghana.
On reports that the former Chief Executive of SADA, Gilbert Iddi was still using his official vehicle, seven months after leaving office, Mr Ayariga said though he was yet to confirm, he condemned the act where former public officials hold on to official property even after leaving office.
He however described the vehicle Mr Iddi is alleged to be using as a “small saloon car”.
