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Hon. Sampson Ahi a ranking member works and housing committee of parliament has alleged that the estimated allowances as captured by the ministry was meant the Hon. Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah's clothing and entertainment allowances.

I'm stating emphatically that it was meant to discredit and tarnish the name of the Hon. Minister and I'm stating the fact as it is.

I, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, minister for sanitation and water resources, I have not benefited or getting any budget allocation for clothes and entertainment as alleged by Hon Sampson Ahi. Cecilia Abena Dapaah has never occupied any government bungalow since I joined public service 40 years ago.

1. Entertainment on clothing and other allowances


I wish to state that expenditure items listed in the budget are meant for the public servants within the ministry (Directors and above) not the Hon Minister.

These benefits are accommodation, fuel, vehicle, utilities, house help, entertainment and security which chief directors and directors are entitled to in all ministries, departments and agencies which are not peculiar to only the ministry of sanitation and water resources. (Ref: Ministry of finance's circular dated 4th January 2016 to all ministries, Departments and Agencies).


I wish to draw Hon Sampson Ahis's  attention to the fact that the allowances he was referring to were officially approved by the fair wages commission and salaries commission and was communicated to all MDAs by ministry of finance. These allowances are perks and such are not be negotiated, but determined from time to time by the employer.

Let me reiterate that beneficiaries of the allowances are civil servant not the minister.

2. Recruitment of security personnel.


Hon Ahi do commented on the estimated amount of GHC89,000.00 that will be spent by the ministry as personal emolument on the recruitment of security personnel. This amount amount was allocated to four 4 environmental health and sanitation officers.

3. Defamation


His allegations are misplaced,  total lies, malicious, pure propaganda and defamatory meant to dent my hard earned reputation and integrity. This has been painful to me and my family as well as embarrassment and emotional distress. The propaganda and allegation has affected the image of the ministry that is working tirelessly to tackle decades old challenges of sanitation and water in Ghana.

I ask Him Hon. Ahi to render an apology withdraw his statement within 48 hours with same publicity that the defamatory remarks were published. And any media outlet, including the Herald newspaper Ghanaweb must also take a cue and apologize within same time frame else the necessary legal action will be taken.

........ signed......
Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah
Minister for Sanitation Water Resources.