Mr. Isaac Sintim- Aboagye, Lower Manya District Finance Officer, on Tuesday stated that the District Assembly spent GH¢ 7,500.00 out of the GH¢ 10,000.00 received for the independence's day celebrations.
He said the assembly used money from their share of the District Assemblies' Common Fund and internally generated funds to finance other projects that were slated for the celebrations.
Mr. Sintim- Aboagye, who was testifying before the Presidential Inquiry Commission on Ghana @ 50 celebrations, explained that the money was used to decorate the District Chief Executive's residence, the durbar grounds, hiring of more than 100 canopies and other items for the anniversary.
Asked if such an expenditure was necessary considering the poverty levels of the people in the district, the Finance Officer said the celebrations was a one time event in the lives of the people and was also worthy as it reconciled groups that were not on good terms.
Mr Sintim- Aboagye and Mr Kingsly Adjei Boahene, District Co-ordinating Director accused Mr. David Sackitey Asare, former District Chief Executive (DCE) of single-handedly spending money and distributing souvenirs without consulting other officials.
"My Lord the DCE did all the spending and gave us the waybills and distribution lists only when he was leaving office," The Finance Officer said.
Mr. Eric Hini, Atiwa District Co-ordinating Director also accused his former District Chief Executive and another official, one Mr Prosper Agbenyo of handling the dealings of Ghana @ 50 activities without consulting them.
"My Lord we shall be happy if you invite Prosper Agbenyo who handled everything concerning Ghana @ 50 celebrations to come and answer some of these questions."
Birim North and Asuogyaman District Co-ordinating Directors who also appeared before the commission could not account for all the proceeds realized from the sale of their anniversary souvenirs.
Justice Isaac Duose, Chairman of the Commission expressed wonder why District Co-ordinating Directors allowed the DCEs to unilaterally handle programmes without questioning their actions.
"How for example, can you who are university graduates allow some of the DCEs who were only Junior High School headmasters dictate to you what to do, when in actual fact you are there to advise them"?
He said the commission would soon invite the Administrator of District Assembly Common Fund to answer why certain deductions were made from various Assemblies and what such monies would be used for.