The man nominated by President Mills to be the Mayor of Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Dr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije has dismissed allegations that he embezzled school funds, and that his certificates had been withdrawn from him by a US Court but admitted being a US citizen (read).

The Chronicle Newspaper reported today that after embezzling school funds, Dr Vanderpuije dribbled the National Security and was to be vetted to become AMA boss(read).

The newspaper further reported that, the US Police in Carolinas, where he happened to be the principal of William Perry Middle School, charged him for milking the school’s funds and therefore withdrew his certificates from him.

In reaction to the newspaper report, Mr Vanderpuije told Peace FM, that the only problem he had with the US Police and the court involved some $4000 spending money.

According to him, about five years ago, he spent $4000 touring some African Countries including Ghana with some students, but the school Board and the court charged him to refund the money because he spent it in Ghana instead of US. He added that, he refunded the money without seeking legal advice because he was receiving about$6000 at that time as his salary. He said, his certificates were given back to him after releasing him from a three-hour detention, so it is never true that he was prosecuted. Neither is he working without certificates.

He admitted being an American Citizen since 1982, but said “I stood tall for this country and the NDC and I am proud to be here this time to serve, because I know I can do the work, and I am not a bad person.”

Pratt Condemns Prez Mills’ Nominee

The Managing editor of the Insight newspaper, Mr. Kwesi Pratt, has condemned President Mills’ nomination of Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije to become the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
Speaking on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ Morning show, Mr. Pratt said Mr. Vanderpuije is not qualified because he once admitted on Peace FM’s Morning Show that he is an American citizen. Mr. Pratt also cited a recent internet report alleging that he helped himself to school children’s small dollar holdings, meant for their meals and school trips, for his selfish purpose.
He said President Mills should take a second look at his nomination because “we cannot entrust the very capital city’s money or resources into such hands”. He added that he will condemn whatever he vice he recognizes under the NDC administration just as he did during the NPP era. The Insight editor said if Dr. Vanderpuije did not spare school children’s money, he definitely cannot withstand the temptations that come with the handling of State funds. He said apart from the fear of him embezzling state funds, his reputation and citizenship also disqualify him from holding such an office.