News

FDB spends $39, 120 on a year's rent for boss
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot

The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has denied spending $84,000 for two years’ rent for its Chief Executive.

It said the amount spent on Dr. Stephen Opuni’s rent was rather $39,120.00, covering a period of one year.

A pressure group, the Progressive Nationalists Forum (PNF) dragged the FDB boss to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), accusing him of financial impropriety.

It claimed Dr Opuni had illegally caused to be spent, $84,000 on his two years’ rent, in total disregard for laid down procedures and financial regulations governing public offices in the country.

According to Fred Amankwa of the PNF, who spoke to Joy FM stressed that the FDB boss breached the Financial Administration Act, 2003, (Act 654) which clothes a minister with only powers to give directives on policies.

Dr Opuni’s assertion therefore that the Minister of Health approved the rates for his rent is untenable since the minister does not have powers to make such approval.

Mr Amakwa argues the Board of the FDB ought to be making such approvals and not a minister.

The PNF also accuses the FDB of questionably raising the amount paid as rent for its office complex from $7,000 to $12,000 without a Board approval.

But the Public Relations Officer of the FDB, Mr James Lartey denied any wrongdoing.

Even though he admits the FBD Board did not approve the expenditures of the organisation, he maintains the approval of the minister was enough.

Ghanadot