Renovation of President's Private House: Farmer Donates 41 million

Mr Marfo, an ex-Police Officer and a farmer presented 41 million cedis to settle the amount spent on President Kufuor's residence to stem what he called press furore over the renovation, which was to beef up the security there.

Do not entertain advice to audit donor to President's house

KUMASI, Ghana, July 13 -- Mr Kwame Badu, who described himself as a concerned citizen of Kumasi has said that the suggestion by Madam Amma Mansah of Teshie in Accra to the Minister of Finance and the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) to audit the books of the Kwame Marfo, who donated 41 million cedis to settle the amount spent on the renovation of the private residence of President John Agyekum Kufuor should not be entertained.
Mr Badu commenting on an article by Madam Mansah in the "Ghanaian Voice" said he was happy that Ghanaians at the moment have become tax conscious, which in effect was a good sign for the much-needed domestic revenue mobilisation.
He said as much as the nation and the IRS should be grateful to Madam Mansah it appears, her demand on the Minister and IRS should not be limited to farmer Marfo alone.
Mr Badu recalled that just before the electioneering campaign for the 2000 elections, three Ghanaians bought NDC manifesto for various sums of money, which were higher than what Mr Marfo donated towards the renovation on the President's residence.
He said contractors and poultry farmers also donated huge sums of money to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the time and queried why Madam Mansah did not ask the Minister of Finance and the IRS to audit them.
Mr Badu said what Madam Mansah was advocating to be done to farmer Marfo should equally apply to all who have also donated previously to other political parties.
He said all Ghanaians, who have the capacity to add to national revenue must be asked to do just that, no matter when the affluence was displayed adding "after all that is what taxation is about".
"Taxes need to be assessed and collected from those very good citizens", Mr Badu added.