Editor of the Informer Newspaper, Andy Kankam has called on President Akufo-Addo to relieve the Board Chair of the Ghana Airports Company Limited Paul Adom Otchere of his duties for spending over GH₵100,000 on Christmas decorations.
To him, this expenditure amounts to the misappropriation of public funds. “A public agency is spending over GH₵100,000 on Christmas trees and that is not wise especially with the country suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Charging the President and the Minister of Transport to take an interest in this expenditure, he told Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, “The expenditure is an insult to the Ghanaian people and the Board Chair of GACL must be fired. The money spent is the taxpayer’s money and we need to fire him for spending that much. Will he have used such an amount on Christmas decorations for his family?”
According to him, it is even an insult for the GACL Board Chair to say their 2021 Christmas expenditure is the lowest in years.
The Board Chairman of the Ghana Airport Company, Paul Adom Otchere, has described it as ridiculous, claims that the company bought four Christmas trees for GH¢84,000 for the festive season.
A Facebook user had alleged that the company bought the trees for GH¢84,000.
Responding to the claim, Mr. Adom Otchere, also in a Facebook post, said the trees were bought at a discounted price of GH¢34,000.
The Good Evening Ghana host also explained that other inspirations at the airport were provided by Favors and Arts for GH¢84,000 out of which GH¢50,000 was obtained via sponsorship.
He noted that the total expenditure of 2021 is the lowest since 2016.
Mr. Adom Otchere’s full post read:
Dear folks, my attention has been drawn to a social media post (herein attached) grossly misrepresenting facts about Christmas inspirations that were mounted at the Kotoka International Airport.
Here are the facts:
FACT: The Ghana Airports Company Limited has for many years mounted Christmas inspirations around the terminal area to create a festive atmosphere for passengers and their families coming into the country.
FACT: The total expenditure of 2021 is the lowest since 2016.
FACT: Two separate suppliers were invited to submit bids. The bids were discussed and discounts were obtained. (We are grateful to Jandel Limited and Favors and Arts)
FACT: The beautiful Christmas tree standing at Terminal 3 and 3 others altogether cost GH¢34,000, which was graciously provided by Jandel Limited at a heavy discount. (We thank Jandel Limited)
FACT: The other inspirations were provided by Favors and Arts for a total cost of GH¢84,000 out of which GH¢50,000 was obtained via sponsorship.
FACT: All salaries and or bonuses due staff for December have been paid.
It is ridiculous for anyone to say that the invoices from these two reputable companies were issued in the name of the Board Chairman, that just means the author of such spurious allegations has insufficient acquaintance with corporate workings.
We will like to urge the general public to disregard these unfounded allegations. The GACL has a fully operational corporate affairs department that can attend to all public inquiries.
We will like to assure the general public that we are fiercely committed to supporting the Hon Minister of Transport to achieve President Akufo-Addo’s vision for the airport, the vision contained in clear directions is to “make all Ghana airports an important symbol for our national development agenda”.
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