The Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni-Valley, Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, has announced plans to petition the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate the handling of thousands of bags of cement, iron rods, and other building materials donated to support the redevelopment of the Appiatse community. The community was affected by a disaster on January 20, 2022, which resulted in deaths, injuries, and extensive destruction of property.
According to Mr. Cudjoe, the proposed investigation aims to establish the quantity of construction materials received as donations, how they were accounted for, and whether they were ultimately used for the intended redevelopment of the disaster-hit community. He expressed concerns over the fate of the donated materials, particularly those that were allegedly not used directly for the project.
The MP mentioned that information available to him suggested some of the donated materials were sold to contractors, raising questions about the circumstances under which such transactions allegedly took place and how the proceeds were accounted for. He emphasized that his objective is to establish the facts surrounding the donated materials.
Mr. Cudjoe's concerns extend to the committee responsible for aspects of the Appiatse response and its leadership, and the proposed petition will seek an investigation into the committee and its chairman. He had previously raised the matter in Parliament, but was dissatisfied with the response provided by the responsible Minister.
The MP explained that a parliamentary question had been raised seeking an account of the items received, but he was not satisfied with the explanation provided. He is now preparing to formally write to EOCO to examine the issue, focusing particularly on the donated construction materials and seeking clarification on their receipt, storage, distribution, use, and any reported sale to contractors.
The Appiatse disaster led to a redevelopment programme aimed at rebuilding the affected community and resettling households whose homes were destroyed. The latest demand by the Prestea Huni-Valley MP puts renewed focus on the management of resources mobilized from the public in response to the disaster, as the government begins the final phase of the redevelopment project.
The proposed petition is part of efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the handling of donations meant for the Appiatse community. Mr. Cudjoe's move is expected to shed more light on the management of the donated materials and provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding their use.
Key points
- The MP plans to petition EOCO to investigate the handling of donations meant for the Appiatse community.
- The proposed investigation aims to establish the quantity of construction materials received as donations and how they were accounted for.
- The MP's concerns extend to the committee responsible for aspects of the Appiatse response and its leadership.
