The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa has given strong indication that he will be relentless in his efforts at getting the necessary authorities to explain the travelling expenditure of the present, Nana Akufo-Addo.
This follows a previous call for explanation into some GHS 2.8 million on his recent travels to only South Africa, Belgium and France using the services of a private jet.
The Minister of Finance Ken Ofori Atta was requested to explain the costs related to the travels, and why the president had to engage in such travels at the expense of the struggling economic battles amidst covid 19.
But in a surprising move, the Finance Minister told Parliament last week that he was not in the position to give details of the travels after he begged for more days to prepare the expenditure.
According to him, the best person to be able to furnish the house with the travelling details of the president and its associated costs is the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah.
It is unclear whether the matter in contention is that of a security protocol or having to do with costs and financing, but the finance minister says the National Security Minister is the best man to answer questions related to the travels.
According to him, since the travel of the president has national security implications, the air travel for the President, including the cost for the advance team, flight arrangements, security, accommodation, and air tickets, were coordinated between the Presidency and the National Security Secretariat.
“Mr Speaker, the President’s domestic and international travels are matters to do with National Security. The National Security Minister is best placed to furnish this Honourable House with the details needed.”
The Minister was responding to an urgent question filed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
In a Facebook post, the honourable Member of Parliament for North Tongu Okudzeto Ablakwa has indicated that no matter the machinations to dodge questions related to the travels of the president, he will not give up.
“No Surrender; No Retreat; This question will be answered no matter how elaborate the machinations and no matter how thick the conspiracy,” he posted on his Facebook page.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has also filed an urgent question under Order 64 of Parliament’s Standing Orders for the National Security Minister to appear before the House to give details on the May travel expenditure of President Akufo-Addo.
