January 27, 2011

The Minority Spokesperson on Communications, Hon Nana Akomea, has accused the Mills-led NDC government of pumping state resources into the counter demonstration by the Movement for Better Ghana in the Ashanti Region.

The Okaikoi South NPP legislator told Citi News that he has evidence to back his claim that the government sunk nearly 100 million old Ghana cedis into the Kumasi demonstration, which was to counter the protest march by pressure group Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG).

AFAG successfully ended the much-talked about demonstration against the recent upward adjustment in petroleum prices.

The march, dubbed “Ahokyere” (hardship) attracted over a thousand people from Accra and elsewhere.

Some NPP members of Parliament and key members including National Youth Organiser Anthony Karboo and Abu Jinapor participated in the march.

A counter group in Kumasi, Movement for Better Ghana also hit the streets against what they call the hypocrisy of some persons who do not want to appreciate the good works of the government.

The pro-NDC Group’s demonstration which was also well attended in the supposed NPP stronghold was to put pressure on Government to investigate some NPP officials who are alleged to have misappropriated the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) debt Recovery Levy which has eventually culminated in the recent increases.

Speaking in an interview with Citi News Parliamentary Correspondent, Richard Sky, Hon Akomea quoted from a document which he said was the budget estimate covering the Movement for Better Ghana demonstration to back his claim.

“The demonstration that has taken place in Accra by AFAG is an expression of genuine concern in the society, petrol prices have been increased by 30% which is very irresponsible by the government and everybody is crying…so a demonstration like this is definitely a genuine demonstration”.

“Now if you are doing one in Kumasi and you say that you are going to thank the government for increasing the petrol prices then it is obviously a contrived demonstration. You have this bill almost a 100 million old Ghana cedis just to do this demonstration. It is like tickling yourself and laughing”.

“Obviously the NDC government is footing the bill and they are doing that for their own purposes. If they are using their own money then there is nothing wrong with it but obviously they are using state resources”.

“The hundred million that was used for the Movement for Better Ghana demonstration in Kumasi could have been used to provide street lighting in Kejetia that would have benefitted all in Kumasi”.

Meanwhile, a deputy Minister of Information, James Agyenim-Boateng in quick response on the Citi Eyewitness News vehemently denied the allegations by the Okaikoi South MP.

Mr. Agyenim-Boateng challenged Nana Akomea to provide evidence that the NDC government sponsored the demonstration by the Movement for Better Ghana in Kumasi.