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School Feeding Programme must be investigated - CJA
Accra, April 2, Ghanadot/GNA - The
Committee for Joint Action (CJA) on Wednesday appealed to
the government to set up an independent inquiry to
investigate activities of the School Feeding Programme,
which they claimed, was in “complete shambles”.
The CJA also alleged that the programme had become an avenue
“to steal state resources” at the expense of the public and
to the disadvantage of school children.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra Mr. Kwesi Pratt Jnr,
a leading member of the CJA, flanked by other members
including Mr Kwamena Ahwoi and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah,
alleged that there was corruption, maladministration,
nepotism and patronage in the management of the programme.
Referring to an audit report of the School Feeding Programme
issued by Pricewaterhousecoopers (PWC) in 2006, Mr Pratt
claimed funds amounting to 36,345.9 GH cedis that the
secretariat of the programme had claimed to have transferred
to 10 districts were not received by those districts.
He said the audited reports revealed that contracts were
awarded to non-existent companies and no Business
Registration Certificates were found on the files of some
companies.
“These companies were selected although they had no track
record of engaging in similar activities as required in our
procurement laws.”
Mr Pratt said the PWC reported that some suppliers operated
as two different companies though they appeared to belong to
the same people.
He gave example as Godish Enterprise and Kaldal Limited
which had the same VAT invoice numbers and called for the
disclosure of the owners of these two companies.
Mr. Pratt also cited other issues including inappropriate
award of contracts, forged signatures and appointments
without following due process in accordance with the Public
Procurement Act 2003 as well as inflated school enrolment
figures.
According to Mr Pratt, the audit report revealed that
enrolment figures had been inflated in schools in the
Central, Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions resulting in more
funds being transferred to those districts than they
deserved.
CJA, therefore, asked that all those who were known to have
committed fraud or other criminal offences should be
prosecuted.
He also called for the dismissal of the Executive Chairman
of the School Feeding Programme without delay.
GNA
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