MANYA KROBO CHIEFS ACCUSE ASSEMBLY OF IMPROPRIETY (PAGE 16)

THE Manya Krobo Traditional Council has expressed grave concern over the lack of transparency on the part of the Many a Krobo District Assembly in the disbursement of a GH¢100,000 conveyance levy it collected as tolls from heavy trucks a year and a half ago.
It has, therefore, appealed to the government to help unravel the mystery surrounding the use of the money by the assembly.
The acting President of the council, Nene Sasraku IV, who made the appeal, said “the assembly’ non-transparent attitude has brought the respect for chiefs to the lowest ebb, as our subjects are accusing us of sharing the money among ourselves”.
Nene Sasraku was speaking during a durbar of the chiefs and people, including the various heads of departments in the area, in honour of the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, at Odumase- Krobo.
He said about one and a half years ago the traditional council initiated the collection of conveyance fees from heavy trucks plying Odugblase as part of efforts to raise revenue to boost the development of the district, noting that the assembly had spent over GH¢100,000 without having anything to show for it.
On development, the acting President of the council pointed out that the district was beset with several challenges, including deplorable roads due to heavy trucks conveying limestone from Odugblase to Tema and Takoradi, as well as inadequate water supply for the people.
Reacting to the concerns of the council, Mr Ofosu-Ampofo gave the assurance that he would institute a full investigation into the use of the GH¢100,000 conveyance fees by the district assembly.
“I am prepared, as the regional minister, to investigate this allegation to the bottom to restore the good working relationship between the assembly and the traditional authority,” he assured them.
Mr Ofosu-Ampofo urged the assembly to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of its common fund, which he indicated must be utilised to put up people-centred projects that would befit the status of the area.