GPHA blows cash on Banda & Co

Tension is brewing among the Board members of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority over decision to give 25-thousand Ghana cedis to Asuma Banda, Chairman of Antrak Group of Companies and Alhaji Abubakari Sumani during the celebration of this year's Eid Ul-Fitr.

GPHA is chaired by Alhaji Sumani who is also the NDC MP for Tamale North. The decision was approved by GPHA board even though some board members were said to be unhappy with it.

The two were given the money because they are Muslims.

Alhaji Asuma Banda received 10-thousand for being Muslim on the Board to celebrate Eid Ul-Fitr. The board chairman himself also being a Muslim got 15-thousand Ghana cedis. The explanation for him getting more than Asuma Banda, according to the GPHA P.R.O. Joana Adda, is mainly because he is the board chairman.

What has generated the tension and the angered among other board members is that the board has never granted any form of cash to anyone to celebrate.

As board members we take sitting allowance and annual allowance and nothing more, sources said.

Alhaji Asuma Banda is the longest board member of GPHA haven been appointed unto to the board under Kufuor's NPP government.

The Public Relations Officer of GPHA, Joana Adda, commenting on the issue said the decision is not explained that as part of the company's social responsibility donation are made to the Muslim community during the celebration of the two Muslim events in the country.

She admitted that the board approved the decision. However our checks has also confirmed that though GPHA assist board members, money has never been given to Muslim board members but rather drinks and food items coasting less than one thousand cedis is given out to Muslims who served on the board.

Alhaji Asuma Banda who is planning to stage a demonstration against Civil Aviation if big airlines are not stop from using Kumasi and Takoradi Airports was not available for comment even though GPHA Public Officer confirmed to us that the money was given to the Muslim board members.