Intelligence reaching The Republic hints that alleged connivance of District Chief Executive (DCE), of Akontombra, Mr. Peter Nkuah, with the Western Regional School Feeding Programme Coordinator, Mr. Ambrose Ankra; sale of insecticides has led to the embezzlement of Gh?25, 331.00 belonging to the State.
Our information, however, has it that although the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) in the Western Region allegedly indicted Mr. Nkuah for the involvement in (some) financial malfeasance including the sale of insecticides meant for the cocoa farmers, his co-conspirators with political clout, nevertheless, pushed for his retain at post..
It elaborates further that, although the Regional Executives of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) were aware of the practice, those among them alleged to have benefitted from the wrong deal did conspire with the Deputy Regional Minister, Mr. Ekow Gyan, under the auspices of the former Regional Minister, Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, to retain the DCE.?The Republic learnt that a meeting was held last Friday evening, attended by the NDC constituency Chairman, the DCE, the School Feeding Coordinator, Ambrose Ankrah and three others from Sekondi, trying to do everything possible to cover up the deal.
According to one source, the Coordinator told the meeting that he authorised the DCE to take that huge amount.
But the Constituency Chairman, Mr. Moses Teye, who knows how the school feeding started in the area, reminded them that nobody had worked for that money; and that was why the Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Herod Koblen, had requested that the money be paid into government chest in the District, for any other important purpose; but they did not, and nobody knows the whereabouts of the Gh?25,331.00; the paper learnt.
Sensing danger of being exposed, the Coordinator told Mr. Teye (the chairman) that he would come with an auditor to audit the DCE. This was after they failed to convince him (chairman) to ?let go the money so they could live together as one NDC family?.
After the Akontombra District had been included in the school feeding programme by late President Atta-Mill, the programme had to delay for eight (8) months before growing into full operation.
All this while, revelations have it that, although nobody had worked; but through certain calculations, an amount of Gh?26, 531.00 was paid out during the said eight months.
This money is said to have been paid to 6 caterers, whom the DCE opened an account each for: and asked them individually to go and cash, at the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), with instructions to come back with the money.
Sources say when these caterers came with the money, Mr. Peter Nkuah, the DCE gave each of them Gh?200.00, and the rest of the money, Gh?25, 331.00 could not be traced.
It was noted therefore that, it came to a time the caterers find it difficult to raise money to cook for the school children in the District.
Although, the Regional NDC Chairman, Nana Kojo Toku denied the allegation, he told this Reporter that he is aware of the problems involving the DCE in the area. So he requested Mr. Ambrose Ankrah to go into the matter and resolve it.
Adding, he said he met the Akontombra Constituency Executives and the DCE another time; and he requested the Enchi DCE to help him to resolve the matter between the DCE and his (DCE’s) Constituency Executives; but that has proved futile.
Nana Toku also denied the allegation that the regional executives wanted to retain the DCE for the area, and that on score; they intentionally close nomination to deny other aspirants for the DCE position.
He argued that due to the extent of confusion in the area, he, Nana Toku agreed to change the DCE, Mr. Peter Nkuah for another person; but he wants that to be done in peaceful manner.
But The Republic gathered that the Deputy Western Regional Minister, Mr. Gyan, NDC Regional Executives led by Nana Toku, and some prominent NDC members sent the DCE’s (Peter Nkuah) name to the Local Government Minister and the Flag-staff House to have him retain as the DCE, as at the time of press.
On this score, the youth of the District threatened to burn down the District Assembly Office and the MP, Mr. Koblem’s house ? he brought the DCE, should there be any approval to retain the DCE from the Flag-Staff House.
This is due to the fact that, they petitioned President John Mahama, the Hierarchy of the NDC party and the Local Government Minister with the necessary facts to act on; but they never mind, yet, faceless people are pushing to have the DCE retained; but they would not allow it, sources hinted.
It was further accusation to this paper indicated that Mr. Nkuah has been selling the insecticides purposely for the Akontombra District to carry out with the mass cocoa spraying.
All efforts by this paper to contact the Western Regional Deputy Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo, the Regional Coordinator for school feeding, Ambrose Ankrah was fruitless.
On the contrary, the DCE, Mr. Peter Nkuah has denied all the allegations leveled against him. He further argued that all the allegations were to diminish his chance to be retained as DCE. And he explained that he has not done anything wrong to warrant those allegations.
Source:?Story: Witty K. Adusu
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