National Security budget raises eyebrows in Parliament

Accra, March 3, GNA- Parliament on Wednesday approved a sum of 572.433 billion cedis for the running of the government machinery for the 2004, fiscal year, amidst heated debate over an amount of 214.6 billion allocated to the Office of National Security alone.

Unlike all the other budget estimates, the budget for the government machinery was not approved unanimously, as some MPs on the minority side declared their disapproval by shouting "no" during the voice vote.

Dr. Kwabena Adjei, NDC-Biakoye, said the "gargantuan amount" allocated for the Office of National Security as against meagre amounts allocated to productive sectors of the economy, needed some explanation. He said the matter needed to be brought back to the floor of the House for further discussion.

The motion for the approval of the budget was moved by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu and seconded by the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr. Eugene Atta Agyepong.

Mr. Agyeman-Manu said, this was an election year and security needed to be beefed up effectively, adding that, "in the event where my government have been accused of protecting the murderers of a traditional leader, we need to provide the security apparatus with the necessary facilities to prevent any such eventualities in the future."

The government machinery embraces organisations whose operations are directly under the Office of the President.

These organisations and agencies include the Regional Co-ordinating Councils, the Office of the Senior Minister, the State Enterprise Commission, the National Population Council, the Scholarship Secretariat and the Ghana AIDS Commission.

Presenting the committee's report, Mr. Agyepong said provision has been made in the estimates to purchase 20 new cars for use by the State Protocol and provision has also been made for the complete construction of two presidential lodges in Wa and Kumasi.

He said there was the need to support the Public Records and Archives Department in its efforts to establish and implement proper records and management in all ministries, agencies and departments throughout the country.

Mr. Agyepong said four new offices have been placed under the Office of the President to increase its efficiency.

The offices are the President's Special Initiative on Distant Learning, Office of Accountability, Policy Co-ordination, Monitoring and Evaluation and Presidential Committee on Chieftaincy.