The Marine Drive Project account is empty; GH¢387K of misappropriated cash has yet to be recovered
The Ministry of Tourism has informed the Public Accounts Committee that the financial accounts of the Marine Drive Project are empty and have negatively affected the progress of the project.
Figures from the Auditor General’s 2020 report show that the amount of GH¢ 387,106 was wrongly applied, and suggested a refund to the project account.
But the amount has not been taken for three years.
At the Public Accounts Committee meeting, the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, John Yaw Agbeko said that the project is no longer under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism but under the Office of the President.
Mr. Agbeko told the PAC “there is no money in the account [Marine Drive Project’s account]”and added that it is not in the capacity to know where or how the money is spent”.
He further stated that “work on the Marine Drive Project is progressing very slowly” due to lack of funds.
Marine Drive Accra is a 241-hectare redevelopment scheme along the coast of Accra initiated by Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. The brief for the project – which dates back to the country’s independence 60 years ago – called for a plan that would create a beautiful skyline for Accra and transform the capital’s city center into a world-class tourism enclave. The Accra Marine Drive project will also provide essential infrastructure to support the country’s growing cultural and creative industries.
GH¢387K Marine Drive Project cash ‘misappropriated’ at AFRIMA, Kundum Festival
Former Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in the Akufo-Addo administration, Catherine Afeku, and other government officials in the ministry were cited by the Auditor General’s report for misusing state resources.
The Auditor-General’s report for the period ending December 31, 2020, states that the amount of GH¢387,196.00 for the Marine Drive project has been misappropriated.
“In violation of Section 7 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), we note that funds for the Marine Drive project amounting to GH¢ 387,196.00 were misused for AFRIMA celebrations, Kundum Festival, and other activities,” it stated.
The sum of GH¢73,000.00 was paid as additional expenditure or for the Minister’s trip to the Volta Region from 15 to 18 June 2018.
On March 7, 2018, GH¢13,296.00 was paid as liability imprest to the then Minister, Catherine Afeku, to travel to the Western Region on official duties.
There was also payment of allowances for the opening panel for vehicle procurement on May 3, 2018 at a cost of GH¢ 900.00.
The audit report also stated the release of GH¢100,000.00 to Palm Media Ghana Ltd. for the launch of AFRIMA 2018 on 17-19 May 2018, and GH¢200,000 as funds to support the Kundum Festival from 1st – 9th September 2018.
Therefore, it has been recommended for the President Director to guarantee the refund from the operating account to the Marine Drive project account, failing which the amount must be returned from the President Director.
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