Make budget for Mills’ remembrance public – NPP MP

Member of Parliament for Manhyia North in the Ashanti Region, Collins Owusu Amankwah, says government must break the silence on details for the budget for the one year commemoration of late President John Evans Atta Mills.

Even though there is a presidential committee, chaired by Mr Kofi Totobi Quakye, organising the event, the Majority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Benjamin Kunbour, last Friday told the House there was no budget backing the celebration because family of the late president were solely funding the anniversary activities.

But Collins Amankwah told Joy News that the explanation raises doubt because he has also heard from former Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Koku Anyidoho, that government had put a secretariat together to handle activities, so Dr Kunbour's claim was contradictory.

He said government must be transparent about details of the expenditure by making it public.

"I suspect that something fishy is going on and people ought to know," the MP submitted.

July 21 to 28 have been set aside for the one year anniversary of President John Evans Atta Mills. Although dates of all activities are yet to be released, the committee has released a statement with key dates.

The first in the series of the Annual Atta Mills Memorial Lectures will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre on Monday, July 22.

Also, a remembrance ceremony will be observed at the Asomdwee Park at the exact date and time of the passing away of the late president, followed by the commencement of an International Hockey Gala at the Accra Hockey Pitch will take place on Wednesday, July, 24.

Muslim prayers would be held on Friday, July 26, and on Saturday, July 27, a foundation-stone laying ceremony would take place in Cape Coast for the construction of the Atta Mills Memorial Research Library, which will be affiliated to the University of Cape Coast.

This would be followed by a non–denominational church service would be held at the Robert Mensah Stadium (Siwdu Park), Cape Coast on Sunday, July 28.