She said: “I am not in any way or by any stretch of imagination benefitting or getting any budget allocation for cloths and entertainment as the Member of Parliament (MP) alleges.

“I ask Mr Ahi to apologise and withdraw within 48 hours the defamatory remarks and give same prominence in the media. The media should take a cue and do same otherwise the necessary legal steps will be taken.”

Mrs Dapaah made the remark at a press conference in Accra to correct the erroneous impression being created by Mr Ahi, the Ranking Member of the Works and Housing Committee in Parliament about the Ministry’s estimates of allowances in the 2019 budget.

She described Mr Ahi’s allegations as a set of wicked lies, malicious, defamatory and propaganda to attack her reputation and integrity.

She said the expenditure items captured in the budget of the Ministry were for categories ‘A’ and ‘B’ directors and other senior officers as pertain within the Public Service, but not for her personal use as alleged.

“These benefits are fuel, vehicle, housing or accommodation, electricity, water and telephone, domestic house help, entertainment and security, which are paid to all directors and chief directors of all Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) and are not only pertained to the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources,” Mrs Dapaah.

She said the allowances being referred to by the MP were officially approved by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and approved by the Ministry of Finance and communicated to all MDAs.