The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has accused the government of concealing the International Monetary Fund's €116 million (GH1.3 billion) allocation for the reconstruction of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) and the opening of new embassies in Jamaica and Mexico (IMF).
Mr Ablakwa criticized the €116 million allocation as unconscionable in an interview with Eyewitness News, saying that the government should not be chasing foolish projects at such a critical time when the economy is failing.
"We do not think this can be a priority at this time. We asked the Ministry of Finance representatives during the conference if the IMF had seen this project, and they answered no. They were currently in the process of project review and approval, and they had yet to receive permission from the IMF. So it tells you that this is a project that they are even concealing from important parties, including the IMF, which we know would not accept a scheme like this. A country that is insolvent, has defaulted, is in the process of debt restructuring, and this is your top project?
What is the matter with us? "Is the administration cursed?" Okudzeto Ablakwa asked Umaru Sanda Amadu, the show's host.
Mr Ablakwa also stated that the Minority will not support the adoption of the Finance Ministry's budget projection of above two billion Ghana Cedis for the fiscal year 2023.
He stated that the Minority was concerned about the Ministry of Finance's provision of one billion Ghana Cedis for resource mobilization.
He stated that the Minority will not approve the doubtful allocation unless the Ministry provides the necessary data on the substance of the allocation for resource mobilization.