GHS78m allocated not for my office, but for state agencies – Felix Kwakye Ofosu

The Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has refuted claims by the Minority caucus that GHS78 million was allocated solely to his office, clarifying that the funds are denominated for three longstanding state agencies under his supervision.

The Minority on Thursday, March 13 criticized this fund allocation for government communication, led by Kwakye Ofosu and deputized by Shamima Muslim, wondering the justification for such a significant expenditure.

In regards to this the Tano North Member of Parliament, Gideon Boako, has expressed his concerns to the media stating that he does not see the need for the government to allocate and entrust such an amount to the president’s spokesperson and his deputy since their responsibility is not solid and added that it was a total waste of funds.

However, speaking in an interview, Kwakye Ofosu dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the allocation was not for his personal office.

In a statement he said that “his office has not been allocated with GHS78 million, rather the funds are entrusted to his care on behalf of the three agencies under his purview, where GHS8.8 million is apportioned to goods and services and GHS70 million in capital expenditure allocation.

Kwakye Ofosu again highlighted that the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the Information Services Department (ISD), and the Ghana News Agency (GNA) are established institutions with a long history of public service.

The minister added saying, “GBC, the Information Services Department, and GNA are long-standing state agencies. Arguing that ISD, GBC and GNA has been in existence for 85 years.  So, it is not like they are new creations that President Mahama has made”.

Kwakye Ofosu restated that the GHS78 million allocation is strictly for the operations of these agencies, not his office.