President furious over $4 million loan for MPs' cars

President Kufuor is furious over the decision to give Members of Parliament $20, 000 concession for the purchase of official cars, deputy Government Spokesman, Kwabena Agyepong said in Accra.

“The decision did not receive Cabinet approval and the President is extremely upset. We are not in the position to spend this kind of money on our MPs,” Mr. Agyepong said.

The president has therefore summoned the leadership of the Parliament for a meeting on the matter. According to the deputy spokesman, the president was not made aware of the issue, and therefore, issue a definite statement on it at the close of today.

Meanwhile as the debate for and against the issue of the cars continue, there seems to be some misunderstanding between the Executive and the legislature. Whilst government insists that the country is not in the position to spend 20,000 US dollars, about 140 million cedis on each MPs car, some members of the legislature see this stand as interference in the work of the legislature.

The deputy majority chief whip, Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu, regretted that the matter is been dealt with in this manner. According to him, there should be a clear distinction between the legislature and the executive. The NPP Member for Ayawaso-West Wuogon, George Amoo shares the views of the majority whip, saying there is nothing wrong with taking a loan to buy a car. He bashed the press for reporting the issue the way it did.

Mr. Agyepong however, expressed regret about the stand of the MPs who coincidentally are members of the ruling NPP. “I am displeased with Amoo and hopes that he speaks in his personal capacity,” the deputy government spokesman said.

NDC’s Doe Adjahoe, also minority chief whip asked that the issue be looked at dispassionately devoid of politics. He also asked that the debate focus on a search for other options. “To say simply that the 20,000 dollars is too much and just leave it at that is dodging the issue,” hon. Adjaho said.

The minority whip, also MP for Avenor noted that the resolution of the issue is crucial because it is an matter which would keep coming up and so there should be a consensus as to how to deal with it, to prevent recurrence.
He however expressed surprise about the position of the executive on the matter saying; “it marks a new development in the political history of this country”.

Adjaho questioned how the matter received the approval of the Minister for Finance if the Executive is not aware of it. “It is very surprising and I do not know at what point I should take a minister serious.”

Meanwhile, reports say the Speaker of the House, Peter Ala Adjetey has bought a 60,000-dollar-Mercedes Benz (about 400 million cedis) for his officials duties.