January 15, 2020

Chairman of the Public Account Committee, Dr. James Klutse Averdzi has demanded that the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Waija-Gabwe, Patrick Kwesi Barko Kumor appear before the Committee which entered its second day of public hearing on Tuesday, the 14th of January 2020.

Coordinating Director of the Waija-Gabwe Municipal Assembly, Mercy Quansah told the Committee his MCE is absent because he indicated to her that she would be at the Results Fair which opened at the Accra International Conference hall on Tuesday.

According to the PAC chair, the MCE cannot dodge the Committee because he knew he would be live on television so he dashed down to the Results Fair at the Accra International Conference.

The Chairman asked that the Coordinating Director of the Assembly leave the Committee and ensure that the MCE is before the Committee.

“Result Fair, this PAC work is part of the result fair, we have given you money, tell us how you spent the money before you got the result which you want to showcase, if we have issues with the way you spent; call him and tell him we want him here”.

The Coordinating Director explained to the Committee that his MCE is a member of the Sanitation Committee that has to be represented at the Results Fair hence his absence.

Her response followed a request from the PAC Chairman demanding a letter indicating that the MCE was invited and actually has a role to play at the event. Meanwhile, no such letter was provided to the committee.

After Ningo-Prampram was through with its public hearing, Waija-Gabwe was recalled back, but the MCE was nowhere to be found after thirty minutes. It finally emerged that the MCE was not at the Fair but rather at the office.

The MCE Patrick Kwesi Barko Kumor however showed up after the Committee meeting had been adjourned for the day, but refused to comment on the issue.

Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com