MCA Boss removed by Castle

Mr. Martin Esson Benjamin MiDA CEO (left), President John Evans Atta Mills (right) The United States Government met with the Ghanaian government delegation yesterday, in preparation to sign a compact which will see the release of funds for the Millennium Challenge Authority (MCA) projects, but were rattled at the news that Mr. Martin Esson Benjamin, the Chief Executive Officer of the US funded project had been removed.

There were red faces everywhere when Professor Fiifi Atta Mills professed to know nothing at all about this development, which is strictly supervised by the US Government.

This development sparked panic round the table, as the Africa Regional Coordinator of the MCA enquired from the Vice President, Mr. John Mahama, what he knew about the disturbing development.

Mr. Essuon Benjamin, a veteran of Ishmael Yamson's United Africa Union group, which had sterling reputation for excellence in administration, was appointed by the Kufuor administration.

There was still no satisfactory answer from anyone when Chronicle picked up the information on Monday.

A call to the MCA office on Tuesday confirmed that Mr. Benjamin was not in his office, but by 4.30 p.m., a stroll through the parlours by Chronicle paparazzi confirmed that he was still holding on to the office, as a number of people close to his office confirmed that he was still in place. The Chronicle can however confirm that there is a letter removing Mr. Benjamin duly signed from the Castle.

There has been widespread attempt to seize jobs and give them to the National Democratic Congress operatives who are desperate for jobs, forcing the Professor to publicly plead with his followers to exercise patience.

With Mills' denial that he knows nothing about the removal, it quickly kicked in speculations as to who could have signed the removal letter.

There are two people who have the authority to sign such a letter; the Secretary to the Government and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Martey Newman.

As to who signed the letter will agitate the minds of many Ghanaians, as seizures of School Feeding contracts from existing caterers, and take over of public toilets rock the nation in recent times.

A government source contacted by The Chronicle at press time last night said Mr. Esson Benjamin was at the Casttle three days ago, but was unaware that he had been removed. The Chronicle is still monitoring this major national embarrassment.