The North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said “if only Ghanaians knew the selfishness of the Akufo-Addo led NPP government, they obviously will start making preparations for the tough years ahead, for they have betrayed the trust of Ghanaians in their first budget statement.

He made this revelation on Thursday in his turn to contribute to the 2017 budget which is up for approval in Parliament.

In regards to a GH¢1.5billion budgetary allocation to the Office of the President for its expenses in 2017, Hon. Ablakwa has taken a swipe on the issue, describing it as unacceptable and a very big mistake on the part of Ghanaians to entrust their hopes in the NPP government.

According to him, the money allocated for the use of that office would be to the detriment of other key sectors of the economy that need only a fraction of that amount.

Hon. Ablakwa also noted that the money earmarked for the use of government machinery was far in excess of 100% of what was previously allocated.

“A whopping allocation of about GH¢1.5billion, which is the highest ever in the history of this country, has been made to the office of government machinery and I’ve done full analysis on this and can state emphatically that this is an unprecedented allocation, an elephantine allocation, a gigantic allocation in excess of GH¢1.5billion has been made to the office of government machinery while all these cuts are taking place”. He disclosed.

To put this in perspective, He said, in 2012 the office of government machinery was allocated only GH¢236million, in 2013 it was only GH¢312million, in 2014 it was only GH¢326million, whiles 2015 had only GH¢453million.

“Mr Speaker, if you combine all those years you will only get just about GH¢1.3billion. It doesn’t come close to the GH¢1.5billion that has been allocated to the office of government machinery, which is unacceptable on the part of a taxpayer and the ordinary Ghanaians”. He emphasized.

By: BlessingRoselyn Boateng

 

Exclusively Newslinegh