Details according to reports reveals that the NPP government splashed a whooping $3 million on the celebration of the 62nd Independence day in Tamale.
A memo intercepted and in our possession, marked CONFIDENTIAL reveals a whopping $3 million (equivalent to GH¢ 16,500,000.00) budget earmarked and actually approved for the Tamale event.
The memo with its attachments, from the Chief of Staff to the Finance Minister, requesting for the release of the said funds, reveals a shocking list of overpriced items and contracts given to one party bigwig after the other. One of the most amazing items is the Provision of 10,000 pieces of umbrellas budgeted at a whooping Gh¢ 1,160,000.00, making each umbrella cost Gh¢ 116.00.
Refreshment for 20,000 spectators was budgeted to cost a whooping Gh¢ 2,000,000.00 with refreshment for each spectator costing the tax payer Gh¢ 100.00.
Transportation for chiefs and clerics (Islamic and Christian) costs a whooping Gh¢ 1,200,000.00 with hotel accommodation for government officials costing the tax payer a whooping Gh¢ 1,500,000.00. Of striking amazement is the hotel accommodation for the Northern Regional Minister, who already lives in the region. Hon. Salifu Saeed’s hotel accommodation for just a night is listed at a shocking Gh¢11,350.00.
Perhaps what would incense Ghanaians most is the cost of toilet papers for additional portable toilets placed around the stadium. It is budgeted at a jaw-dropping Gh¢ 216,432.60. An item listed as ‘Party Security’ is budgeted to cost the tax payer a whooping Gh¢ 115,000.00 with many other outrageous quotations.
Pre-anniversary preparations alone cost the taxpayer an amount of $551,080.00
