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A Communications team member of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Anim Piesie, has called on authorities responsible for funds disbursed by government to feed citizens during the 3-week partial lockdown to account for it and reimburse Ghanaians.

When the lockdown was announced by President Akufo-Addo in March, the Gender Ministry announced measures to feed the vulnerable.

The government began to distribute free meals to over 400,000 Ghanaians in locked-down areas.

Some people also had foods like rice, yam in its raw state and it helped to ease the economic hardship that comes with COVID-19.

However, the NDC Communicator on UTV's 'Adekye Nsroma' newspaper discussion segment lamented that, "the amount and quality of cooked foods distributed during the partial lockdown days will not amount to the allocated 40 million Ghana cedis, neither will the uncooked foods shared to citizens will amount to the same money allocated by government, so all we expect from government is to find means of retrieving the balance. Definitely there must be a balance".

Listen to him in the video below



Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP)

The Finance Committee of Parliament approved for the government to access GHC1.2billion from the Contingency Fund to finance the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP). The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta presented the policy document on CAP to Parliament seeking approval to spend GHC1.2 billion.

This came after the Minority in Parliament asked the government to give details of the funding requested by the Minister to tackle coronavirus and its impact on the economy.

Details of CAP

The Minister explained that GHC280 million will be used for food packages and hot meals while GHC40 million will go to the National Buffer Stock Company.

Meanwhile, GHC 200 million will be used to pay for bills on water and sanitation, GHC241 million will cover tax waiver for health personnel.

He added that GHC 80 million will be spent on the allowance for health staff, GHC2 million will go into the transportation for health workers GHC600 million will be disbursed as soft loans to businesses.

NADMO says hot meals for Ghanaians cost gov't GH₵2m per day

The Communications Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) says Government is spending GH₵2 million a day on the hot meals being provided for Ghanaians in the lockdown areas in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

According to him, the state spends GH₵5 on each pack of food to feed over 400,000 under the social intervention program.

Minority demands full disclosure of monies spent on lockdown free food

The Minority Leader Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South is demanding an independent audit and full disclosure of monies spent in the distribution of food during the three week Covid-19 partial lockdown by Government.

"Claims by NADMO of spending GHS2 million a day on feeding an opaque number of Ghanaians during the lockdown would not be allowed to pass. May we serve notice that we shall insist on full transparency and a thorough audit of all funds received."

He made this known during a press conference in Parliament dubbed, "Ghana’s Worsening Covid-19 Situation and National response to the Pandemic."