News:
August 8, 2012
The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie has described as outrageous the supposed GH¢30 million to be spent on the late President John Evans Atta Mills’ funeral.
He stated unequivocally that such mischievous publication in the media could only emanate from egocentric individuals who want to derail the peace and tranquility the country has witnessed since the sudden demise of the late President Mills.
The Ablekuma Central MP was reacting to speculations that the Funeral Planning Committee has spent GH¢30 million on Mills’ funeral and has also purchased a US$75,000 casket to give the late president a befitting burial.
Chairman of the Committee, Kofi Totobi-Quakyi at a press briefing in Accra rubbished the claims and said they should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
However, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie who expressed his sentiment on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday said the claims are uncalled-for and ill-timed.
According to him, those playing the ‘dirty politics’ should not insult the sensibilities of Ghanaians at a time he says the country has lost a modest and an illustrious son of the land.
Tetteh Chaie indicated that all the funds being utilized for the arrangement of the funeral by the Committee comes from donors and philanthropists and not from the state coffers as it is being suggested.
“Government is not using the resources from the state coffers in this funeral and I thank the Funeral Planning Committee for taking that decision” he added.
But, the Managing Editor of the Gye Nyame Concord, Alfred Ogbamey disagreed vehemently with the Ablekuma Central MP.
He argued that government must use public funds and ensure it gives full disclosure on how and what the money was used for.
Alfred Ogbamey also blamed the Funeral Planning Committee for not drafting a budget stating clearly the funds committed for the organization of late President Mills’ funeral.
Myjoyonline.com