I don't suspect foul deal - Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff, Mr Kwadwo Mpiani has said that he does not think there was any dubious deal in connection with the Castle renovation since he took over from Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey as the Chief of Staff.

He said he was satisfied with the work done in connection with the renovation works at the Castle, based on the money involved. Mr Mpiani was speaking to ?The Evening News? in reaction to allegations by the Minority in Parliament that an amount of ?150 million paid into the accounts of the Chief of Staff for the renovation of the Castle cannot be accounted for.

He stated that the audit report, upon which basis the minority made the allegation, was not a final one. According to him, it is normal in every audit procedure to issue queries to the people around whom the audit is being conducted. He said it is only when the auditors are not fully satisfied with the explanation of the person at the centre of the audit that ?something fishy can be suspected.?

Mr Mpiani said one might have cause to complain when the one being audited deliberately refuses to answer the query raised by the auditors. After that, the Chief of Staff said the final report to the auditor should categorically state the response of the person being audited. He said to the best of his knowledge, no such thing had been done.

Besides, he said the final report had not been issued and called on all who suspect any foul deal, to be patient and wait until the final report is submitted. ?If anybody has anything to say, that person should wait until the final report comes out,? he said.

Asked whether he checked on how the ?150 million was disbursed when he took office, he answered in the affirmative. He explained that the money was meant for the Castle renovation, which had been done and did not try to find out the breakdown. Mr Mpiani said Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey can only be said to have been indulged in dubious deals if he cannot account for the money.

He said in an instance where receipts cannot be provided, but evidence shows that the money had been used for the purpose for which it was provided as in the case of the Castle renovation, valuers can be called in to determine whether the materials used cost the amount. He said he had asked for a copy of the ?so called? report to study critically to enable him to fully comment on it.