The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten has rubbished allegations that he wasted a whopping GHC40, 000 on a birthday party for staff of the Assembly.
The Finder Newspaper on Monday reported that the MCE spent that amount for 180 staff members born in June, July and August instead of tackling cholera and sanitation issues confronting the metropolis.
According to the report, the assembly members have planned to pass a vote of no confidence on the MCE because they believe he prioritizes trivial matters like birthday celebrations at the expense of serious challenges confronting the metropolis.
But the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday described the report as a �baseless allegation.�
�It�s really unfortunate. We as management have our way of interacting with staff and motivating them to understand the vision and the plans we have on the need for attitudinal change and a paradigm shift in the way public sector activities have been engaged,� he said.
He explained that they adopted a monthly birthday party as a way of interacting with staff members.
�We initiated a monthly staff interaction and the qualifying group for each staff is the date of birth which we have tagged monthly staff interaction. Yes we do cut cake to appreciate people who are celebrating their birthdays and use the platform to engage with staff and get feedback from those within that month and then we work together,� he added.
He said they only spent GHC4,900 and not the figure being speculated.
�We spent an average of GHC2450 for an average of about 90 staff per a month, so it�s a bit disturbing to find GHC20,000 GHC40,000 being spent on birthday party. Indeed for July and August it�s GHC4, 900. I think it�s a bit trivial, and I think we should look forward. I am poised to get the assembly on track. I know we have challenges with sewer, we have challenges with solid waste and if my team had not step up the game am sure the cholera situation would have been worse,� he indicated.
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