National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, has questioned why Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson remains in office, alleging that delays in releasing funds for flood mitigation contributed to the devastating impact of the June 29 floods.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Nana B cited a World Bank report, which he claimed indicated that funds earmarked for flood mitigation were under the control of the Ministry of Finance but had not been disbursed.
“Why is the Finance Minister still in office despite failure to release funds for flood mitigation leading to the death of 35 people? The blood of those innocent souls will remain on the hands of Ato Forson forever,” he alleged.
According to him, concerns raised in the World Bank report should not be ignored, especially in light of the loss of lives and destruction caused by the floods.
“Is Ato Forson still the Finance Minister? Because the World Bank report said the money to be used for flood mitigation is with the Finance Ministry, and the money was not used,” he claimed.
Nana B further alleged that some government ministries have complained about delays in the release of funds for their operations.
“Some ministries have even complained that funds haven’t been released to them,” he said.
He argued that the government must demonstrate its commitment to accountability by addressing the issues raised in the report.
“We shouldn’t sweep the World Bank report under the carpet. And still Ato Forson is the Finance Minister. Are we serious as a country?” he questioned.
The NPP National Organiser maintained that the Finance Minister should be held responsible if funds intended for flood prevention were not released.
“That Ato Forson should superintend over such ineptitude? People have lost their livelihoods. Money has not been released and now people have lost their lives,” he said.
He further questioned why the Finance Minister continues to hold office despite the alleged failure to disburse the funds.
“Why is the Finance Minister still at post? The government needs to show us that they are serious. If the Minister was supposed to disburse the money and he didn’t, why is he still the Minister?” he added.
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